Malema case postponed

The provisional sequestration order against Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema regarding his outstanding tax bill was postponed to June in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday.

"I rule that the matter be extended to June 1. Costs reserved," Judge Ferdi Preller said.

In August, Malema denied media reports that alleged cigarette smuggler Adriano Mazzotti was helping him pay his tax bill.

At the time there were reports that the SA Revenue Service (SARS) was investigating the source of his tax debt repayments, but it would not comment at the time.

In February last year, Judge Bill Prinsloo ordered that Malema's estate be provisionally sequestrated. In May and again in August, his provisional sequestration was extended and the matter was postponed.

Malema previously admitted he had not attended to his tax affairs the way the law required.

According to court papers, Malema owed the SARS R16 million, plus interest, after failing to submit tax returns between 2006 and 2010.

In 2010 the SARS contacted Malema about his failure to submit tax returns. It took Malema 18 months, after many attempts by the SARS, to file his outstanding returns.

Malema had also failed to register his Ratanang Family Trust for tax purposes, and the SARS had to do this on his behalf. Ratanang is the name of Malema's young son.

The SARS attached some of Malema's property, including a farm in Limpopo and a house still under construction in Johannesburg, to recoup some of the taxes he owed.

A final sequestration order could affect Malema's political career, as he would no longer be allowed to serve as an MP.

-SAPA