Politicians, business people exempted from land tax

The Government Gazette has published the names of over 500 agricultural land owners who are exempt from paying land tax.

This includes opposition leader McHenry Venaani, deputy chief justice Petrus Damaseb and the Roman Catholic Church.

Another beneficiary of the exemption is Sonja Thieme, the sister of business mogul Sven Thieme.

The exemptions are given by the agriculture, water and land reform minister Calle Schlettwein, who is empowered by the law.

“Exemption of certain owners of agricultural land from land tax imposed in terms of section 76 of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act, 1995,” notes the Government Gazette.

The list, which was gazetted last Tuesday, consists of 11 churches, five late estates and 566 individuals, including politicians, judges and chief executives, among others.