President studying Sars commission report

President Cyril Ramaphosa has received an interim report from the commission of inquiry into tax administration and governance by the South African Revenue Service (Sars).

17 Oct 2018

Suspended Sars commissioner, Tom Moyane

"The president is applying his mind to the contents of the interim report and the recommendations made by commission chair, Justice Robert Nugent.

"As part of this process, President Ramaphosa has furnished a copy of the interim report to suspended Sars Commissioner, Tom Moyane.

"The president has invited Mr Moyane to make any submissions he may have on the interim report or its recommendations," the Presidency said.

Moyane was served with disciplinary charges in May in relation to alleged misconduct in violation of his duties and responsibilities in terms of the South African Revenue Service Act, Public Finance Management Act and Sars Code of Conduct.

President Ramaphosa relieved Moyane of his duties in March, citing the handling of the Jonas Makwakwa scandal, as well as VAT repayments to Gupta-linked companies as some of the reasons for his suspension.

Retired Constitutional Court Judge Kate O’Regan was appointed as presiding officer for the disciplinary inquiry.

The commission chaired by Nugent is a separate process focusing on tax administrative issues like VAT refunds and shortfalls in revenue in the past two financial years.