JOHANNESBURG - The Constitutional Court has ruled that third parties may access individual taxpayer records, if it is in the public interest.
The apex court delivered judgment on Tuesday in a request by media houses to access the tax records of former President Jacob Zuma.
SARS had refused to share the records, citing taxpayer confidentiality.
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However, a High Court ordered it to supply the Financial Mail and amaBhungane with Zuma's personal tax records for eight years.
The Concourt has now upheld the finding that sections of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, and the Tax Administration Act, that create a complete ban on third-party access to taxpayer records, are unconstitutional.
Justice Jody Kolapen has given Parliament 24 months to amend the legislation.