Pretoria - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has appointed retired Constitutional Court judge, Justice Zak Yacoob, to head up an enquiry into allegations of impropriety made against South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Oupa Magashula.
Newspaper reports alleged last week that the Commissioner for SARS had been recorded during a telephone conversation, offering a young woman a job at SARS. These reports also implied that a well-known convicted drug lord had influence over the SARS Commissioner.
“In response to these media reports…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,” Gordhan said.
He said he 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.
Yacoob will be assisted by Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, the elected group leader of the Victoria Mxenge Group of Advocates. – SAnews.gov.za
