Yacoob leads probe into Magashula

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan‚ after consultations with the Minister of Justice‚ has appointed retired Constitutional Court judge‚ Justice Zak Yacoob‚ to head an inquiry into allegations of impropriety made by City Press and Rapport against the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Services (SARS), Oupa Magashula.

3 Apr 2013

Image: GCIS

Justice Yacoob will be assisted by Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane. Sikhakhane is the elected group leader of the Victoria Mxenge Group of Advocates. He was admitted as an Advocate in 2000 and joined the Johannesburg Bar in 2002.

City Press and Rapport alleged on 24 March that the Magashula had a telephone conversation and offered a young woman a job at SARS. The conversation was recorded. These reports implied that a Mr Marimuthu had influence over the SARS Commissioner.

"In response to these media reports‚ I announced that after consultations with the Minister of Justice I would appoint a retired judge to establish whether there was any breach of SARS processes‚ good governance‚ the nature of any possible indiscretion and to advise on appropriate remedies where breaches may have occurred. I took this step to ensure transparency and to protect the integrity of SARS which is a crucial fiscal institution that is highly respected within and outside South Africa‚" Gordhan said.

He added that he had requested Justice Yacoob and Advocate Sikhakhane to look into these allegations and to:

Report on whether there was any breach of SARS processes or good governance;
Report on the nature of any possible indiscretion by the Commissioner;
Report on the alleged influence that Marimuthu had over the SARS Commissioner;
Advise on any appropriate remedies where breaches may have occurred.

"I have asked Justice Yacoob to submit the report within two months‚" Gordhan stated.

Source: I-Net Bridge

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