War of letters as Cyril tells Moyane he won't get job back

President Cyril Ramaphosa will not reverse his decision to terminate axed SA Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Tom Moyane's services.

In a terse letter responding to Moyane's demand to Ramaphosa to reverse his termination of service, the state attorney stated that it had been advised that the president would not withdraw the notice to terminate Moyane's service.

Ramaphosa fired Moyane on November 1, months after the embattled former tax boss had been fighting the disciplinary process against him individually as well as the Nugent Commission of Inquiry into Sars. The inquiry is seeking to get to the bottom of some R100bn shortfall in revenue collection over the last four years, under Moyane's watch.

Ramaphosa had agreed with a recommendation by retired judge Robert Nugent, chairing the Sars inquiry, to fire Moyane, whose lawyer Eric Mabuza said his legal team would continue fighting for Moyane's job.

In their letter to Ramaphosa, they indicated that they would seek to block him appointing a successor to Moyane.

"We will have to take whatever action that is necessary, to protect Mr Moyane's rights," Mabuza said.

Acting commissioner Mark Kingon will continue in the role until Ramaphosa makes a permanent appointment.

In response to this, Moyane gave Ramaphosa until Friday last week to reinstate him,
arguing that his axing was unlawful.