Solidarity NetWork’s lawful tax protest campaign will include at least six legal actions against state enterprises and tax plunderers.
“It is time that taxpayers turn to active and lawful tax protest. South Africa must discover the power of tax activism. We’ve already had a taste of it with the e-toll protest. Tax protest does not have to include the withholding of tax. Taxpayers can unite across traditional barriers, making use of legal instruments to call the state and tax plunderers to account,” Solidarity chief operating officer Dirk Hermann said.
A similar section 165 process would be followed in collaboration with business organisation Sakeliga in respect of Eskom. This may have major implications for former Eskom directors such as Brian Molefe. Similar applications against other directors at other state-owned enterprises may follow, Solidarity said.
The biggest case would be an application for business rescue against SAA and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan. About a year ago, Solidarity wanted to bring the same case against SAA, but SAA’s former CEO Vuyani Jarana made several promises to Solidarity.