South African actress and television personality Pearl Thusi is facing a tax dispute with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) over an amount that the revenue authority says is close to R15 million.
According to a report by TimesLIVE, SARS issued Pearl with a final demand warning that failure to settle the alleged outstanding debt or make suitable arrangements could lead to further legal action, including the attachment and sale of assets.
However, Pearl disputes the amount cited in the demand and says she is already engaging with SARS to resolve the matter.
What SARS is demanding
The demand was issued on August 6 and electronically filed on September 2. It identifies Pearl by her full name, Sithembile Xola Thusi, and states that she has outstanding tax obligations relating to one or more tax years or periods.
TimesLIVE reported that the demand gives her 10 business days to settle the amount or pursue options available under tax law.
These include negotiating an instalment payment arrangement, applying for suspension of the debt if she intends to formally dispute it, or seeking a compromise on part of the amount owed.
The certified statement accompanying the demand reportedly lists almost R9.8 million in personal income tax and about R5.2 million in interest.
A further R20,000 administrative penalty is also reflected, bringing the total to close to R15 million.
The documents do not specify which tax years or periods resulted in the alleged debt, nor do they provide details about the circumstances that led to the amount being outstanding.
SARS warns of possible asset attachment
The revenue service has warned that if the debt is not addressed, it could pursue recovery measures against Pearl.
According to the demand, SARS “may appoint any third party who presently or in the future will owe you money or hold money for you to settle your tax debt with this money”.
It also warns that a civil judgment could be entered, potentially allowing a warrant of execution to be issued for the sheriff to attach and sell assets.
Interest will also continue to accumulate on outstanding amounts.
SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko declined to discuss Pearl’s specific circumstances, citing taxpayer confidentiality.
Pearl disputes the amount
Pearl told the publication that she was aware of the matter and had been communicating directly with SARS about her tax obligations.
She strongly disputed the figure reported in the demand.
“While I acknowledge that there is an amount owing to Sars, the figure quoted is grossly incorrect and therefore misleading. I believe it is important that the matter is reported accurately.”
Pearl said she takes her responsibilities as a taxpayer seriously and intends to resolve the matter.
“I take my responsibilities as a taxpayer seriously and remain committed to complying with the law and resolving this matter responsibly. My focus is on working constructively with SARS to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.”
She also questioned the public disclosure of her tax affairs.
“In addition, Sars records of individuals are confidential. Whatever issues I may or may not have with the revenue receiver are not for public consumption.”
Pearl is one of South Africa’s best-known television and entertainment personalities, having built a career across acting, presenting, modelling and radio.
She first became widely recognised locally through television presenting and acting, including appearances on shows such as Live Amp, Real Goboza and Isidingo.
Her career later expanded internationally. She played Patricia Kopong in The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and Dayana Mampasi in the US thriller series Quantico.
In 2020, Pearl took on the lead role in Queen Sono, Netflix’s first African original series, playing a highly trained South African intelligence operative. The role became one of the most prominent international acting opportunities of her career.
Her other acting credits include Catching Feelings, Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu, Bulletproof 2 and Fistful of Vengeance.
She is set to return to international television in the second season of BET’s Average Joe, alongside US actor Deon Cole and fellow South African actor Katlego Lebogang.
What happens next
The SARS demand does not, by itself, mean that Pearl’s assets have been seized.
The document outlines steps SARS can take if an outstanding debt remains unresolved, while also providing the taxpayer with avenues to challenge, suspend, restructure or compromise the debt under certain circumstances.
The matter comes as SARS continues to intensify its efforts to collect outstanding tax debts and improve compliance among high-income individuals and public figures.
