Doreen Mokgolo
Singer and producer Dr Malinga has accused his former accountant of giving him bad advice after he lost a collection of valuable assets to the taxman.
On 18 July, bailiffs went to the artist’s R3.3 million house in Zambezi, Tshwane as he owed the South African Revenue Services (Sars) R2.1 million in unpaid tax.
They stripped it of furniture, music equipment and a bakkie, taking a combined total of R500,000 worth of movable assets.
Speaking for the first time in public about his ordeal, Dr Malinga explained that he was poorly advised by his accountant.
“I have two businesses, the Linga’s Entertainment recording label and Dr Malinga, which are running as two separate entities,” he explained.
“I receive payments for both separately and the taxman bills me on the two separately.
“My accountant failed to advise me accordingly until it was too late and I ended up accumulating the R2.1 million owed to Sars,” he said.
He added that he decided to cooperate with the taxman and surrendered his assets without a fight.
“I knew it was too late to make arrangements. I convinced myself and my family that I will work hard to replace them.
“I still have the talent that no one can take away from me to be able to build up again.”
The singer said that this experience is not different from when he was hijacked in his taxi in 2004 after selling a car he won in a singing competition.
“When I bought that taxi I thought my days of poverty were over but it was taken away from me by criminals four days after buying it.
“That pain motivated me to work hard and I was able to acquire more over the years,” he said.
The singer said that it pains him that all his friends and people he has helped over the years have deserted him.
He doesn’t want donations but gigs to be able to build from the ashes.
“I am happy that my family is here to support me. My house is still empty but my mother gave me her old fridge so that is a start.”
