The SA Revenue Service (SARS) has obtained a Warrant of Execution in the North Gauteng High Court on Monday against controversial businessman Adriano Mazzotti.
According to the court document, it is for the payment of R33.95m plus interest, which SARS claims Mazzotti owes it in terms of the Customs and Excise Act. The documents do not specify exactly why and how this amount is determined.
It only states that it relates to a company called Realtime Investments of which Mazzotti is deemed to have been in charge over the period in question.
In terms of the Warrant of Execution, the sheriff of the court must attach the movable property of Mazzotti at a premises in Hyde Park, Sandton.
According to SARS, Mazzotti was given the opportunity to make written representations in order to consider his liability in terms of the act.
To date, according to SARS, he has failed to do so and that is why SARS is claiming the unpaid debt.
According to the Daily Maverick, the sheriff attached motor vehicles and art from Mazzotti's property.
Mazzotti and his tobacco company Carnilinx has been in the news before due a R1m loan Mazzotti had made to Julius Malema.
Update: SARS told Fin24 on Wednesday that it is not in a position to divulge specific or provide any more information and details on the affairs of taxpayers.
"SARS is bound by Chapter 6 of the Tax Administration Act, dealing with confidentiality of information, and more specifically section 69 of the act, which provides for the secrecy of taxpayer information. This includes investigations into taxpayers or traders," SARS explained.