Child Welfare Kempton Park owes the taxman over R300 000
The branch's assets were attached by SARS on Tuesday
CHILD Welfare Kempton Park owes the taxman over R300 000. This has led to its assets being attached on Tuesday last week by the South African Revenues Services (SARS).
The branch is currently in a serious financial predicament and at risk of closing down.
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According to Makha Thusi, director of Child Welfare Kempton Park, this situation was caused by its national office, Child Welfare South Africa, which she says has plunged the branch into “unprecedented arrears with SARS”.
“We owe SARS R337 000, inclusive of penalties and interest. This amount is not static and increases at a daily interest rate of 10 per cent,” Thusi explained.
She says according to information collected from SARS, these arrears started accumulating in 2014.
“This was the period when Child Welfare Kempton was still under the administration of the national office and finances were managed by them. SARS has also indicated that the reason for the arrears was among others, irregular or non-payment of employees’ PAYE, UIF and SDL by the national office on behalf of our branch.”
Some of the evidence collected reflects that monies were deducted from employees’ salaries and not paid over to SARS. As a result staff members have not received their IRP5s and are therefore unable to submit their annual tax returns. The organisation, in turn, cannot get a tax clearance certificate which disqualifies it from raising funds to expand its services and resources.
Child Welfare Kempton was given 10 days until June 27 to pay this amount back, failure of which SARS would attach all its assets.
“We appeal to anyone who is able to assist and save the organisation, thereby saving the children. It will be a great loss for Kempton Park and its surroundings. Close to 2 000 children are benefiting from our services.”
Due to the urgency of this matter, anyone who is able to rescue the society should contact Thusi on 071 926 0271 or the chairperson of the board of management, Aubrey Blom, on 084 356 1342.
EXPRESS sent the national office an email requesting comment on the matter but they failed to respond by the time the article was published.
