Share

Mantashe worries about stirs at Sars

Johannesburg - ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe has expressed concern over disruptions at the SA Revenue Service (Sars) in an interview with Netwerk24's Beeld newspaper published on Monday.

"An institution like Sars should be above suspicion, because this is the country's income collector," said Mantashe, in a quote translated from the Afrikaans daily.

"If there is disruption at such an institution then anyone can think it was created deliberately. The quicker the problems there get figured out the better for the country."

Mantashe's comments come as Sars deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay faces a second suspension in almost as many weeks.

Sars commissioner Tom Moyane announced Pillay's suspension on December 5, along with strategic planning and risk group executive Peter Richer.

Richer's suspension notice was later withdrawn while Pillay successfully fought his in the labour court; only to get another notice on Friday.

READ: Sars: Why Pillay is up for suspension again

It all seemed to be linked to an "unconstitutional" intelligence unit appointed in 2007 to investigate a range of people, from taxi hitmen to cigarette and abalone smugglers and politicians.

A Sunday report said the intelligence unit over which Pillay was now facing suspension again was far from being a "covert" or "rogue" unit and that its appointment was at the time approved at the highest levels of government and established in partnership with the National Intelligence Agency.

READ: Sars’ rogue unit approved at highest level - report

Media reports have mentioned many names who came up in these investigations, including President Jacob Zuma's nephew, mining boss Khulubuse Zuma.

The unit was also said to have looked into Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir and convicted drug dealer Glen Agliotti, who testified against fraud-convicted ex-top cop Jackie Selebi.

READ: Sars 'purge' a Christmas gift for underworld

Soon after news of Pillay's first suspension broke reports suggested that he insisted the ANC pay customs duty on T-shirts imported from China for the elections earlier this year.

He also apparently commissioned legal advice on the tax implications of multi-million rand improvements to Zuma's Nkandla home in KwaZulu-Natal.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.02
-0.4%
Rand - Pound
24.17
-0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.67
-0.4%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.40
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.3%
Platinum
906.17
-1.9%
Palladium
1,006.16
-5.6%
Gold
2,156.13
-0.2%
Silver
24.93
-0.5%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
66,252
0.0%
All Share
72,431
0.0%
Resource 10
53,317
0.0%
Industrial 25
100,473
0.0%
Financial 15
16,622
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders