Former Mpumalanga premier and ANC veteran Mathews Phosa has reached an agreement with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to settle a tax debt of approximately R9 million.
According to reports, SARS had been pursuing the former provincial leader for outstanding taxes and had warned it would seize his assets if no payment arrangement was made. In letters sent in March and May of 2025, the revenue service stated it was prepared to begin legal action if Phosa did not comply.
This case is part of SARS’s broader effort to collect unpaid taxes from high-profile individuals, emphasizing that no one is exempt from tax obligations regardless of their political status.
Phosa, who served as Mpumalanga’s first premier from 1994 to 1999, remains an influential figure in both politics and business. The specific terms of his settlement have not been made public, but such agreements typically involve a structured payment plan that allows the debtor to avoid asset seizure while paying what they owe.
The situation highlights the financial challenges some veteran politicians face after leaving public office, as well as SARS’s strengthened approach to enforcement. In recent years, the revenue service has worked to rebuild its reputation as a strict and impartial tax authority.
This settlement spares Phosa from immediate legal action and potential property loss, but it also brings renewed public attention to questions of financial accountability among South Africa’s political leaders.