The South African Revenue Services (SARS) has accidently paid almost R21 million to bemused and delighted taxpayers.
Beeld newspaper reported last week that the slip resulted from a combination of an accounting error and a mix-up of the magnetic tapes taken to the Reserve Bank which erroneously instructed the Reserve Bank to pay R3 500 into the accounts of each of about 6 000 taxpayers.
The error was discovered the same day the payment was made and SARS was taking steps to reverse the transaction made to taxpayers' accounts at the various retail banks.
Taxpayers were advised not to spend the money because they will be obliged to return it.