“Decided To Snitch”: Woman Reports Landlord to SARS for Unreturned R8k Rental Deposit

• A young woman decided to report her landlord to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) when he did not give her R8 000 rental deposit
• The woman emailed the revenue service and shared a concern that possibly fell within SARS' scope
• Members of the online community enjoyed how the woman refused to give up and fought for her money

After not receiving her R8 000 rental deposit for an apartment in Paulshof, Johannesburg, a woman named Mumbo Omhlophe contacted the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to share her concerns about her former landlord, whose name she provided in her post.

On her TikTok account, Mumbo revealed a screenshot of the email she sent SARS, which she posted on 8 July, 2025. She told the online community:

"POV: You decided to snitch on your landlord..."

The email, in which she included the man, read:

"I understand that SARS does not handle rental deposit disputes, and I am pursuing the return of my deposit through the appropriate channels. However, I wish to raise a separate concern that may fall within SARS' scope."

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Mumbo explained that the landlord, who rents out multiple residential properties, failed to provide a reason or a breakdown of the deductions.

"I believe it may be worth reviewing or flagging his profile during future tax assessments to ensure any retained deposits or related rental income are properly declared, where applicable."

A bold Mumbo concluded:

"For completeness, I will also be submitting the 'Report a Suspicious Activity' form via the SARS website."

When a TikTok user asked if the landlord contacted Mumbo after the email was sent, the woman shared with a laugh:

"He unblocked me and gave me a call, but not my money."

Mzansi reacts to woman's SARS snitching

Hundreds of social media users headed to the comment section, patiently waiting for an update on the juicy story. Other people on the internet also shared their experiences with shady landlords.

@sibahle_d told the online community:

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"Hai, clearly this is the trend in Paulshof. Bathong, my landlord did the same."

@vinucci shared in the comment section:

"An agent tried that with me, and I went to their office and told them no one is going home until I get my money. My money was paid within 15 minutes."

A proud @nthabi_ventures said to Mumbo:

"This should be normalised! I think you just created a template for all South Africans."

Mumbo responded to the TikTok user:

"In due time! We need to educate our people! The landlords' time to play is finished!"

@bottled.sunshine wrote under the post:

"When you decide to take karma into your own hands. Ooh, he messed with the wrong one!"

@missgugz stated in the comments:

"SARS does not play, unlike our justice system."

Take a look at the TikTok video below:

3 Other stories about landlords

• In another article, Briefly News reported that a desperate landlord took matters into her own hands by welding a gate shut after her tenants failed to pay rent.
• A kasi landlord showed how a couple vandalised her place, leaving South Africans astonished. The tenants allegedly broke the shower door and kitchen cupboards.
• Last year, Cape Town residents called out greedy landlords regarding ridiculously high rent on questionable properties. Social media users seemed to agree with the man who made the online complaint.

Source: Briefly News