Former president. Jacob Zuma says Public Protector (PP), Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane, may get his tax records.
Zuma on Tuesday joined the battle between the PP and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) over its tax records.
In a statement posted on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, Zuma said although he had not been consulted about the lawsuit, he had “no problem” with the DB getting access to his tax records.
Zuma tweeted that he never refused to hand over his tax records to the DB and that she could get it.
It must be known that I have nothing to hide. If the @PublicProtector wants to see my SARS records she is free to do so. We should not make the job of the PP difficult. If she wants my records, she must have them.
— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) November 12, 2019
“I hear that my SARS records are being disputed in court by (SARS Commissioner Edward) Kieswetter.
Nobody consulted me about this. “
I hear that my SARS records are being contested in court by Kieswetter. No one has consulted me about this matter. Furthermore, I have been informed that the office requesting these records is the office of the @PublicProtector (PP) @AdvBMkhwebane
— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) November 12, 2019
SARS wants to keep OB away from Zuma’s records.
Business Day reported on Monday that SARS has filed an urgent court application to prevent Mkhwebane from accessing this information.
Mkhwebane issued a subpoena in October to obtain Zuma’s tax information. She is investigating a complaint filed by the DA in 2017 that Zuma allegedly received money from a security company during his first four months as president at a security company that was never declared for tax purposes.
“This country knows very well that the former PP @ ThuliMadonsela3 has investigated me several times and made findings against me.”
I need to clarify that I have never refused the office of the PP access to investigate my affairs. This country knows very well that the former PP @ThuliMadonsela3 investigated me on a number of occasions and made findings against me.
— Jacob G Zuma (@PresJGZuma) November 12, 2019
“I never refused or hid anything she wanted to investigate. Even where I personally thought she exceeded her mandate and powers, I was still compelled to respect the @PublicProtector’s office and therefore I am not part of the fight against my tax records, ”Zuma tweeted.
Zuma says he has “nothing to hide” and if the DB wants to see his records, she is free to do so.