Unions striking at the South African Revenue Service (Sars) have vowed to continue with their industrial action this week, but have said they remain open to resuming discussions if the tax body comes forward to them with a meaningful offer.

Sars revised its wage increase offer to unions marginally from 1.3% to 1.5%. Meanwhile, the Public Servants Associations (PSA) and the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) have not budged from their CPI plus 7% increase, which effectively adds up to 12%.

On Friday, 21 Sars branches around the country were closed for in-person visits. Of these, 11 were in Gauteng, four were in KwaZulu Natal, and two were in Mpumalanga, while Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, the North West, and the Western Cape each had one closed branch.

Sars said in a statement last week that more branches than before were closed, affecting Cape Town, Pretoria North, Upington, Mthatha, Pietermaritzburg, and Krugersdorp.

"Our current call volumes are high and waiting times extremely long. A number of our branches are also closed for in-person visits. All our online services are available and we encourage taxpayers to make use of these," said Sars.

Nehawu spokesperson Lwazi Nkoli said the union would continue to consult with members as the days continue, but in the meantime, its demand for 12% remains.

"Sars had tabled the revised offer. We are busy consulting our members on that offer, but the strike is still proceeding while we engage them on that offer. And, remember, our workers want the 5% plus 7, which is effectively 12%," said Nkolisi.

Nkolisi said while the strike continues, they are open to a meeting with Sars if they come forward and request one.