Athletics South Africa (ASA), the body responsible for overseeing track and field in the country, is facing a financial crisis after the South African Revenue Service (SARS) moved to recover more than R4.6 million in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest.
Africa Daily can exclusively reveal that the receiver of revenue has obtained a default judgement in the Joburg High Court last week after the organisation allegedly failed to settle the debt despite receiving a final letter of demand from the taxman on 18 February 2026 to pay up.
In the default judgement, which Africa Daily has seen, SARS says the federation failed to settle outstanding tax debts amounting to more than R4 617 722.
The tax bill paints a troubling picture of the federation’s financial obligations.
The largest portion of the debt relates to Value Added Tax (VAT), where SARS claims ASA owes it more than R4.4 million, including penalties and interest.
The court papers show that the original VAT liability was more than R3 .6 million . However, the bill increased after penalties of over R321 000 and interest exceeding R492 000 we added.
SARS is also seeking payment for outstanding PAYE (Pay-As-You-Earn) obligations. According to the documents, ASA owes more than R112 000 in PAYE.
The original debt was of over R101 000 but went up after penalties of more than R10 000, and interest of R400 were added.
The federation’s tax woes do not end there.
The revenue collector is further claiming more than R3 900 relating to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and just under R5000 for the Skills Development Levy (SDL).
Together, the various tax claims bring the total amount sought by SARS to R4 617 722.42.
Before approaching the courts for a default judgment, SARS issued a final letter of demand to the federation, warning of severe consequences should the debt remain unpaid. At the time, the tax debt was over R4.8 million.
“According to the records of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), you have failed to pay your tax debt for one or more tax year(s) and/or tax period(s).
Overdue amount R4817450.09 latest account statement balance,” reads the letter.
The letter further advised the federation of several remedies available under the law, including payment in instalments, suspension of the debt should the fedenration lodge a formal dispute, and the possibility of reaching a compromise with SARS.
SARS also warned that failure to settle the debt could result in third parties being instructed to pay money directly to it on behalf of the federation. The revenue collector warned that it may obtain an order to attach and auction the federation’s assets if it does not find the money to liquidate the debt.
“A civil judgment being entered against you in which case a warrant of execution may be issued for the Sheriff of the Court to attach and sell your assets,” the letter further reads.
Speaking to Africa Daily,ASA spokesperson Sifiso Cele said the federation had been engaging with the matter since resolving its registration status with SARS, but declined to provide further details.
“ASA has been on top of this matter since ASA’s re-registration with SARS. However, ASA is unable to make further comments due to the confidentiality on tax matters,” Cele said.
