Somizi Mhlongo Reportedly Hit With R20 Million SARS Bill After Default Judgment

• SARS reportedly secured a default judgment against Somizi Mhlongo at the Johannesburg High Court over an unpaid tax bill
• The Metro FM presenter's initial personal income tax debt ballooned due to accrued interest and penalties, leaving him with a bill just shy of R20 million
• His latest run-in with the tax man arrives four years after the revenue collector auctioned Somizi's luxury furniture and decor items

Somizi Mhlongo faces a significant legal challenge as the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has secured a default judgment against him for a staggering R19.7 million tax bill in the Johannesburg High Court. Initially assessed at just over R11.8 million, his outstanding liability swelled due to accumulated interest and penalties.

According to Africa Daily, Mhlongo's personal income tax liability accrued interest of R7.7 million, combined with penalties and additional interest of R115,000, pushing the figure to nearly R20 million.

Before heading to court, SARS reportedly sent the former Idols SA judge a final letter of demand on 22 April 2026, giving him 10 business days to act. The revenue service offered several options to avoid enforcement, including settling the full outstanding balance, applying for an instalment agreement, requesting a payment suspension while disputing the debt, or pursuing a debt compromise arrangement.

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SARS also made its intentions crystal clear: failure to respond would trigger enforcement measures such as third-party garnishment orders or civil judgment execution, empowering the sheriff to attach and sell the star's personal belongings. When Mhlongo appeared not to respond or reach a suitable arrangement with the authorities, SARS moved swiftly and obtained the default judgment.

Not Somizi Mhlongo's 1st SARS battle

This confrontation with the taxman is not new territory for the entertainer. Back in 2022, SARS executed a warrant against him to recover a R3.5 million unpaid tax debt.

According to Briefly News, that dispute ended with the Sheriff of Sandton North auctioning off luxury furnishings from Somizi's home, including a Hisense television, a Smeg dishwasher, a Goldair gas heater, a Samsung fridge, and two of his iconic red human statues.

With the latest default judgment now in place, Mhlongo faces the very real prospect of aggressive asset seizure unless the outstanding millions are resolved without further delay.

Somizi Mhlongo announces podcast

In an earlier report, Briefly News shared online reactions to Somizi Mhlongo announcing his upcoming podcast.

This comes after the media personality swore that he would never venture into podcasting, eventually joining the community and receiving praise from peers and supporters.

Source: Briefly News