Montana charges SARS Commissioner

FORMER Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) CEO Lucky Montana has taken the extraordinary step of laying criminal charges against the South African Revenue Service (SARS) commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, accusing him and other SARS officials of fraudulently doctoring a fake court judgment to justify a hefty tax bill.

- THABO MAKWAKWA [e-mail]

Montana, who is also a member of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in Parliament, formally opened the case at the Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria on Monday. He alleges that SARS fabricated a court order to justify a tax debt he disputes.

Speaking to IOL outside the police station, Montana outlined the origins of the dispute and the reasons for pursuing legal action against SARS.

"I'm here to open a case of fraud against the commissioner of SARS, Mr Edward Kieswetter, as well as some of the officials in SARS," Montana said.