Share

SKA mulls structure change - report

Johannesburg - The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) organisation is considering changing its governance structure to a treaty organisation because of tax, Business Day newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The organisation, comprising the countries that are financing the world's biggest radio telescope, is currently a corporation.

The newspaper reported the move would demand firmer financial commitments from member countries and give the project diplomatic privileges.

"It's essential because funders say they are not prepared to pay VAT," SKA SA director Bernie Fanaroff told the newspaper.

Such privileges would "open borders" for people and equipment, and enable the organisation to write its own tender rules for procuring goods and services, he said.

The science and technology department's representative at the European Union, Daan du Toit, said a reason for SKA funding countries to support the move to a treaty organisation was that diplomatic privileges would remove tax on SKA officials and equipment.

"The rationale is that countries funding the SKA don't necessarily want to contribute to another country's tax regime," Du Toit reportedly said.

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
18.92
+0.1%
Rand - Pound
23.87
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.39
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.32
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.1%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
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