SARS reacted to a range of ideas presented in recent media reports regarding the alleged rogue unit at the revenue service‚ media leaks and a statement made by Trevor Manuel.
SARS said on Tuesday that investigations into the “rogue unit” at the revenue service had not been initiated by current SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane‚ as reported in various media.
In a statement released to “clarify recent media coverage”‚ SARS spokesman Sandile Memela said it was acting commissioner Ivan Pillay who in June 2014 “instituted an investigation led by an Attorney‚ Mr. Moeti Kanyane who recommended further investigations given the limited mandate of his investigation”.
“On 3 September 2014 Mr. Ivan Pillay commissioned a further investigation by Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC to further investigate the allegations.”
SARS emphasised that Moyane had been appointed only on September 27 2014‚ before the investigations were set in motion.
Furthermore‚ “The report from Advocate Sikhakhane SC was received by Commissioner Moyane on the 5 November 2014‚ making various findings on the illegality of the unit and its operations”.
Regarding reports that there had been media leaks – referring‚ among others‚ to speculation that a SARS insider had leaked to the media the list of Hawks questions put to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan – SARS said Moyane had instituted “major controls and processes to curb information leaks”.
“We reject any insinuation that suggests that SARS has been leaking confidential information.”
Regarding SARS’ operating model‚ the statement addressed concerns that Moyane had embarked on changes that played to a particular agenda.
“The notion that Commissioner Moyane has used the implementation of the current operating model for other motives other than enhancing SARS effectiveness and efficiency is rather unfortunate and a deliberate attempt to discredit SARS and its Commissioner.”
The statement also broached remarks made by former finance minister Trevor Manuel.
“SARS has noted with concern the alleged statements in the media attributed to the respected former Minister of Finance‚ Mr. Trevor Manuel‚ that if he was the Minister of Finance he would spend 20 minutes crafting a letter to fire Tom Moyane.
“Not only is such a statement puzzling but it also undermines the legislation regulating the relationship between SARS and the Minister“.
SARS shoots back at media‚ Manuel
SARS reacted to a range of ideas presented in recent media reports regarding the alleged rogue unit at the revenue service‚ media leaks and a statement made by Trevor Manuel.
SARS said on Tuesday that investigations into the “rogue unit” at the revenue service had not been initiated by current SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane‚ as reported in various media.
In a statement released to “clarify recent media coverage”‚ SARS spokesman Sandile Memela said it was acting commissioner Ivan Pillay who in June 2014 “instituted an investigation led by an Attorney‚ Mr. Moeti Kanyane who recommended further investigations given the limited mandate of his investigation”.
“On 3 September 2014 Mr. Ivan Pillay commissioned a further investigation by Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC to further investigate the allegations.”
SARS emphasised that Moyane had been appointed only on September 27 2014‚ before the investigations were set in motion.
Furthermore‚ “The report from Advocate Sikhakhane SC was received by Commissioner Moyane on the 5 November 2014‚ making various findings on the illegality of the unit and its operations”.
Regarding reports that there had been media leaks – referring‚ among others‚ to speculation that a SARS insider had leaked to the media the list of Hawks questions put to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan – SARS said Moyane had instituted “major controls and processes to curb information leaks”.
“We reject any insinuation that suggests that SARS has been leaking confidential information.”
Regarding SARS’ operating model‚ the statement addressed concerns that Moyane had embarked on changes that played to a particular agenda.
“The notion that Commissioner Moyane has used the implementation of the current operating model for other motives other than enhancing SARS effectiveness and efficiency is rather unfortunate and a deliberate attempt to discredit SARS and its Commissioner.”
The statement also broached remarks made by former finance minister Trevor Manuel.
“SARS has noted with concern the alleged statements in the media attributed to the respected former Minister of Finance‚ Mr. Trevor Manuel‚ that if he was the Minister of Finance he would spend 20 minutes crafting a letter to fire Tom Moyane.
“Not only is such a statement puzzling but it also undermines the legislation regulating the relationship between SARS and the Minister“.
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