SA Revenue Service dismisses top legal officer following disciplinary hearing

The SA Revenue Service announced on Friday that is has dismissed Refiloe Mokoena, its Chief Officer: Legal Counsel, following a disciplinary hearing.

The disciplinary hearing was chaired by a senior counsel from the Johannesburg Bar. 

SARS, in a short note, said that it had accepted the chairperson's recommendation of immediate dismissal. Mokoena's services were terminated on Friday. It did not say what she had been accused of. 

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News24 reported in 2018 that Mokoena was suspended in relation to VAT refunds claimed by Gupta-affiliated companies, which SARS paid to third parties in contravention of the VAT Act. Mokoena previously served on the board of state-owned arms manufacturer Denel while it was attempting to establish a joint-venture with Gupta owned VR Laser.

- Additional reporting by Jeanette Chabalala