SARS Says AI Has Blocked Over R100-Million in Improper Outflows as It Plans Wider Taxpayer Automation

The South African Revenue Service says artificial intelligence has already blocked more than R100 million in impermissible outflows — and that it is just the start of an ambition that stretches to AI agents potentially handling the bulk of taxpayer interactions. Speaking during a media Q&A at a SARS event in Pretoria previewing the 2026 filing season on Thursday, commissioner Johnstone Makhubu sketched out a two-track AI strategy: one already bearing fruit in compliance and fraud prevention, the