SARS
Lucky Montana, MKP MP and former PRASA CEO, has denied owing SARS R55 million, claiming the tax bill was fabricated using fraudulent documents. He has filed a case against Commissioner Edward Kieswetter after a rejected R5.4 million offer. Montana insists most of the debt is penalties and says he’s fighting institutional overreach.
UMkhonto weSizwe Party(MKP) Member of Parliament (MP) and former Passenger Rail Services Agency of South Africa (PRASA) CEO, Lucky Montana, has denied owing the South African Revenue Services (SARS) in unpaid taxes.
On Monday, Montana held a press briefing amid escalating tensions with the taxman that continue to play out publicly over his disputed tax bill of R55 million.
This comes after the former executive filed a case against the SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter last week.
On the weekend, media reports seemed to suggest that SARS had confirmed that Montana offered R5.4 million to settle his tax debt exceeding R55 million, following weeks of dispute over alleged fraudulent court documents, which Montana claims have been fabricated by SARS.
SARS further indicated that Montana’s compromise offer, submitted on August 8, 2025, was considered invalid because taxpayers must first acknowledge that the tax debt is due before any settlement is accepted. SARS subsequently outlined a timeline of years of non-compliance.
According to SARS, Montana allegedly failed to submit tax returns for several years while ignoring multiple audit requests. The revenue collector further states that despite several extensions, Montana has not responded adequately to SARS.
On Monday, Montana stated:” Please note that I do not owe SARS.” I would like to repeat that, I do not owe SARS a cent. Some may ask, why risk everything by taking on the mighty SARS. There is no doubt that SARS is a powerful institution and a formidable opponent to take on. If you look at the network of attorneys that represent SARS in court. It is so powerful. As they say, it's not easy to take on the whale in the ocean. However, I am not afraid to take on the challenge,” he stated.
However, ahead of Montana’s address, SARS remained defiant, saying its assessments were final and undisputed, prompting a sequestration application against Montana in May 202, accusing Montana of initiating public attacks against it.
“Mr Tshepo Lucky Montana, a member of parliament, initiated a public attack on Sars in recent days via the news agency Independent Online.Mr Montana failed to submit his income tax returns in respect of the 2017, 2018 and 2019 years of assessment.
Montana said he was not fighting SARS for his own sake alone, as there are millions of South Africans who have been bullied by big institutions such as SARS.
“This is not about me. This is about the citizens of South Africa, vehicles and other assets they have built and worked so hard over the years and have lost them at the stroke of a pen,” he added.
On the amount, the executive-turned politician, stated that he is challenging the R55 million, adding that the R47 million being billed is in interest and penalties and not taxable income.
SARS said it lawfully filed certified statements with the High Court, carrying the effect of a civil judgment. The tax authority further warned Montana to retract his fraud accusations or risk public disclosure of his confidential tax records, which they say are being handled according to the Tax Administration Act.
