DJ Sbu’s R16m tax bill headache

The taxman has lit the fire under the feet of Mo Faya energy drink owner and Radio 2000 presenter DJ Sbu, demanding that he quickly pay his head-spinning R16 million tax debt.

Africa Daily can exclusively reveal that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has hit the former Metro FM presenter with an over R15.9 million tax bill.

News that DJ Sbu, the former TS Records co-founder is in a blue funk over the exorbitant tax bill, came to the fore after SARS obtained a default judgement against him at the Joburg High Court about two weeks ago.

According to the copy of the judgement, which Africa Daily has seen, the outstanding amount, which stood at R15.7 million when SARS issued its final demand on June 25, 2026, is believed to have increased by a further R200 000 by the time the revenue service obtained the default judgment against him.

This potentially pushed the debt to approximately R15.9 million.

The debt comprises more than R8.2 million in unpaid personal income tax, over R7.6 million in interest and R60 500 in administrative penalties.

Before taking him to the court, SARS sent DJ Sbu, real name Arthur Sibusiso Leope, a final letter of demand, pleading with him to settle the bankrupting bill.

According to a SARS final letter of demand, DJ Sbu, whose real name is Arthur Sibusiso Leope, owed the revenue service R15 766 726.32 at the time.

SARS gave him 10 business days from the date of the demand to settle the outstanding amount or apply for available debt relief measures.

These included paying the debt in instalments, applying for suspension of the debt if a formal dispute had been lodged, or seeking a compromise on a portion of the outstanding amount.

The revenue service warned that failure to settle the debt or make use of the available remedies could result in further recovery measures, including appointing third parties holding money on his behalf to pay the outstanding amount.

SARS also warned that civil judgment proceedings could follow, potentially paving the way for a warrant of execution allowing the sheriff to attach and sell his assets.

The revenue service further cautioned that interest would continue to accrue on the outstanding amount.

DJ Sbu couldn't be reached for comment at the time of publication.