Malema, Sars strike ‘conditional’ deal

REFILE - CORRECTING DATE South African politician Julius Malema is pictured during an interview with Reuters in Johannesburg July 22, 2013. Malema, the expelled "bad boy" of South Africa's ruling African National Congress and now facing racketeering charges he denies, this month launched the nation's newest political movement the Economic Freedom Fighters, calling for a revolutionary jolt to Africa's biggest economy through nationalisation of mines and expropriation of white-owned land. Picture taken July 22, 2013. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: POLITICS)

REFILE - CORRECTING DATE South African politician Julius Malema is pictured during an interview with Reuters in Johannesburg July 22, 2013. Malema, the expelled "bad boy" of South Africa's ruling African National Congress and now facing racketeering charges he denies, this month launched the nation's newest political movement the Economic Freedom Fighters, calling for a revolutionary jolt to Africa's biggest economy through nationalisation of mines and expropriation of white-owned land. Picture taken July 22, 2013. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: POLITICS)

Published May 26, 2014

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Pretoria - Julius Malema has been given some breathing space by Sars following an 11th hour agreement over the R16.5 million he owes in tax.

While supporters were at the North Gauteng High Court on Monday to support their leader, the man himself was not to be seen.

Advocate Nic Maritz, appearing for Sars, told Judge Cynthia Pretorius on Monday that the parties “overnight” entered into a “conditional compromise agreement”.

Malema's provisional sequestration was extended until August 25.

The terms of the agreement between him and Sars is not known, but Dali Mpofu, part of the EFF central command committee who attended the short court proceedings, said the provisional sequestration will be overturned in August as long as Malema had complied with the provisions of the agreement.

He said, while he knew what the agreement entailed, he cannot reveal it as tax issues were confidential.

Sars said it would issue a statement later.

In February this year, the court issued a provisional sequestration order against Malema for his R16.5-million tax debt.

Monday was the return date.

If sequestrated, Malema would have immediately been disqualified as an member of Parliament. Sequestrated people cannot serve as MPs.

Pretoria News

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