Zuma’s Tax Secrets Are Back in the Spotlight And the Stakes Have Never Been Higher

For more than seven years, South Africa has watched an uncomfortable tug-of-war unfold over former president Jacob Zuma’s tax records.
Now, the fight has snapped back into the headlines and the Jacob Zuma Foundation says it’s ready to head to court if the South African Revenue Service (Sars) dares to release them.

The renewed tension follows a decisive move from the Information Regulator of South Africa (IRSA), which last week instructed Sars to hand over Zuma’s tax information to an amaBhungane journalist. The request dates all the way back to 2017, when the investigative centre first began digging into whether Zuma was treated differently from ordinary taxpayers.

And just like that, a battle that had faded into the background has erupted once again.

A Seven-Year Old Request That Never Went Away

In a media briefing on 12 November 2025, the IRSA revealed that it had concluded its investigation into the long-standing complaint from an amaBhungane journalist, a former Financial Mail reporter, who had initially filed the request under POPIA and PAIA.

At the heart of the request was a simple question:
Did Zuma declare all his income, and did Sars treat him like any other taxpayer?

Sars denied access at the time, claiming the records were protected under PAIA and that some of the documents did not exist.

But after a “thorough and exhaustive investigation,” the Regulator disagreed.

IRSA ruled that Sars was not justified in withholding the information and ordered the release of:

• Zuma’s tax returns

• Assessments

• Records of correspondence

• And any other relevant documents from 2010–2018

The ruling echoed a broader principle the Regulator emphasised: the public interest override.
When transparency and accountability outweigh privacy concerns especially for public officials information should be disclosed.

Sars: “Matter Under Consideration”

Sars spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko kept it brief when asked for comment, telling The Citizen:
“The matter is still under consideration.”

It’s a diplomatic response but a telling one. Given the explosive political sensitivity of the issue, Sars now finds itself wedged between:

• A legally binding directive from the Regulator

• A looming threat of court action from Zuma’s camp

• And a public hungry for transparency

The Zuma Foundation Comes Out Swinging

Unsurprisingly, the Jacob Zuma Foundation is not impressed.
Its spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi, issued a strongly worded statement calling the growing media narrative “misleading” and “legally unsound.”

According to the Foundation:

• The Tax Administration Act (TAA) still governs taxpayer confidentiality

• Sars is prohibited from disclosing personal tax information except in very narrow circumstances

• The Constitutional Court’s previous judgment (Arena Holdings case) did not create an automatic right to access anyone’s tax records

Manyi went further, warning that any attempt to force disclosure would be met with immediate legal action.

He also cautioned Sars against being “weaponised for political purposes,” adding that officials who unlawfully release confidential information could be guilty of a criminal offence.

It’s the kind of statement that signals exactly how far the Foundation is willing to go.

A Quick Look Back: How We Got Here

The roots of this fight stretch back to 2021, when the Pretoria High Court ordered Sars to release Zuma’s tax records to amaBhungane and Financial Mail.

Sars appealed the ruling, and in May 2023 the Constitutional Court weighed in. The court found parts of the tax and access-to-information legislation unconstitutional because they prevented disclosure even when the public interest demanded it.

It also sent the matter back to Sars to reconsider.

Sars reconsidered and refused again in December 2023.

Which is how the matter eventually landed at the Information Regulator’s desk.

Public Reaction: “Just Release Them Already” vs “This Is a Witch-Hunt”

On social media, the topic ignited instantly, because nothing involving Zuma ever stays quiet.

Common public sentiments include:

“If he has nothing to hide, release the records.”
“Other presidents around the world release their tax info why can’t ours?”
“This is just another political attack on Zuma.”
“Sars must follow the law, not public pressure.”

The familiar polarization of South African politics is once again on display Zuma supporters digging in, critics calling for transparency, and the rest of the country exhausted but glued to the updates.

A Fresh Angle: What This Battle Really Represents

Beyond the legal jargon and political drama, this battle has become a test case for:

• How transparent South Africa expects its leaders to be

• How accessible taxpayer information should be when public interest is at stake

• Whether institutions like Sars and IRSA can withstand political pressure

It’s also worth noting that this case has outlived two presidents, multiple Sars commissioners, and even shifts in constitutional interpretation. That speaks to its significance.

If the tax records are eventually released, it could set a precedent affecting every future public officeholder.

What Happens Next?

For now:

• Sars is still deliberating

• The Information Regulator’s directive stands

• The Zuma Foundation is preparing for legal action

• And amaBhungane is waiting for documents it first requested SEVEN years ago

The next move will likely determine whether South Africa is entering a new era of transparency or whether secrecy still has the stronger legal shield.

Either way, the country is watching.

{Source: The Citizen}

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