Tax industry welcomes new Sars boss

Johannesburg - The tax industry welcomed the president's appointment of Tom Moyane as SA Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner, the SA Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) said on Tuesday.

"Mr Moyane's vast experience at the highest levels of government and public administration stand him in good stead in ensuring Sars continues to serve the best interests of the South African economy," SAIT's chief executive, Stiaan Klue, said in a statement.

"Mr Moyane's appointment lends certainty to the effective line of communication SAIT has established with Sars in their goal to develop world class, professional practices and people."

Klue thanked Ivan Pillay, who had been the acting Sars commissioner.

Earlier, the presidency made the announcement of Moyane's appointment.

"President Jacob Zuma, has in terms of section 6 of the SA Revenue Services Act, 1997 appointed Mr Thomas (Tom) Swabihi Moyane as Commissioner of the Sars," spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

"Mr Moyane's appointment is effective from September 27, 2014."

Moyane replaces Pillay, who acted in the position after the resignation of former commissioner, Oupa Magashula.

Magashula resigned in July last year following an investigation into allegations that he offered a chartered accountant a job at Sars.

Magashula allegedly offered the accountant a job in a recorded telephone conversation facilitated by a Timothy Marimuthu, believed to have had influence over Magashula.

The investigation was initiated by former finance minister, Pravin Gordhan.

Maharaj said Moyane, a development economist, would bring more than 30 years' experience to the position, having worked as a senior executive in various government and private sector entities.

"Moyane has served as national commissioner at the department of correctional services, as chief executive officer for the Government Printing Works, as managing director for Engen Mozambique as well as regional co-ordinator for the regional spatial development initiatives and as chief director for industry and enterprise development at the department of trade and industry," he said.

His qualifications included a BSc Economics from the Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, and a diploma in small business consulting from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Moyane also holds certificates in strategic management, managing markets from Henley, micro-economics from London School of Economics and Mastering Finance from Gibs (Gordon Institute of Business Science).

"During his period in exile, he worked for government departments in Mozambique and Guinea Bissau," Maharaj said.