Acclaimed actress and media personality Pearl Thusi is facing a significant tax demand from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), with reports indicating the agency is seeking approximately R15 million. The demand, issued on 6 August and filed electronically on 2 September, gives Thusi 10 business days to either pay the full amount, arrange an installment plan, or formally dispute the assessment. Failure to comply could result in SARS seizing assets or pursuing legal judgments against her.
Thusi, known for her roles in Queen Sono and Quantico, has acknowledged that she owes some amount to SARS but has strongly disputed the reported R15 million figure, describing it as “grossly incorrect.” In a statement, she confirmed that she is engaging with SARS constructively and that her financial records are confidential, adding that she is committed to resolving the matter in accordance with the law.
“I am aware of the situation and I am cooperating fully with SARS,” Thusi said. “However, the figure being reported is grossly incorrect, and I am working through the proper channels to address it.”
The tax demand has sparked widespread discussion online, with some social media users linking it to Thusi’s past defense of Chidimma Adetshina, the Miss South Africa contestant whose citizenship became a subject of public debate, as well as to SARS’s broader efforts to recover outstanding debts from high-profile individuals. The agency has ramped up enforcement measures in recent years, targeting celebrities, business figures, and others with substantial tax obligations.
Thusi’s legal team is expected to formally dispute the amount in the coming days, setting the stage for a potential legal battle with SARS. For now, the actress remains defiant, insisting that the truth will emerge and that she is committed to resolving the matter amicably.
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