Johannesburg - It seems the recent claims of a rogue unit within the SA Revenue Service (Sars) and the subsequent resignations of suspended deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay and strategic planning risk group executive Peter Richer are not the only problems it faces.
Former members of the so-called Sars rogue unit are resisting redeployment after 12 employees, all highly skilled former members of the SAPS, were informed they would now join the Branch Operations Engagement (BOE) unit, whose core functions are to conduct education and intervention campaigns.
The former cops include an ex- presidential bodyguard and a special task-force member, both initially appointed as “close protectors” whom Sars now intends turning into tax advisers.
On appointment, close protectors are expected to demonstrate the tactical ability to handle a firearm without endangering the lives of persons being protected; carry out threat and risk assessment and security incident investigations and provide protection.
They are also expected to manage all spheres of security, carry out advanced reconnaissance, identify safe routes to be used when in transit, co-ordinate with local law enforcement regarding crime threats and responses, compile risk reports detailing activities during deployment, ensure that emergency procedures are at all times in place and ensure the safety of Sars employees.
The Sunday Independent has been informed that divisions continue to grow among top management over the disbandment of the unit. It is alleged some managers are objecting to a decision to move the Physical Security and Protection (PSP) staff to the BOE.
A senior manager reported the matter to the union, which referred it to the National Council Forum because the 12 had apparently not been consulted.
The Sunday Independent is in possession of an e-mail that was sent to the affected staff on Thursday, confirming rumours of the move to BOE. It warns the staff not to discuss the matter outside their circle for fear of giving stakeholders a wrong impression. It further urged them to indicate their availability in the week to discuss what the PSP senior management had presented to the forum on Wednesday.
A copy of the presentation was attached to the e-mail.
According to PSP senior management, they were calling for the 12 to be moved to the BOE because they had become less productive after the disbandment of the “rogue unit”.
A move to operate the Mobile Tax Unit vehicles “merely as drivers who sit idle during operations” had been unproductive.
In their presentation, the managers called for the 12 to be trained to assist taxpayers.
Should this move be supported, it will mean the workers’ reporting lines and job descriptions will change.
A source close to the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being victimised, said it saddened the staff because their future was being decided without their involvement. “I joined Sars thinking it was a reputable (organisation) but it is proving to be something totally different. We are not respected and taken seriously as employees.
“We cannot be tax practitioners. We did not sign up for that when we joined Sars. We possess skills different to what they want from us,” said one of the disgruntled workers.
“Did they even consider our employment background before they discussed our future? We would rather be absorbed into the other divisions of Sars, customs and investigations, than to be made tax practitioners.
“That will be an insult to the many years of experience we acquired in our different fields of work,” said another worker.
They maintained they were being “reduced to being called drivers by people who have ulterior motives. Our job descriptions sought former police officers or people who possessed high-level skills in security for this job. So how could you employ a former cop and make him a driver? We want justice and we won’t rest until we get it,” said the worker.
Sars spokesman Luther Lebelo said the 12 employees were recruited when “Sars had a rogue mentality”.
He said that due to the previous business model, Sars had employed a number of personal protectors. “But over time and due to change on how (it) operates, (Sars) found (itself with) excess for such skills.
“Given the expansion of our mobile units division and the security issues related to possible hijackings, in late 2013 Sars decided to look into the viability and possibility of deploying most of the protectors to BOE, where their experience and expertise will be productively utilised.”
Lebelo added that, as part of Sars’s commitment to keep people meaningfully employed, a decision was made that personal protectors be trained into tax-related duties. “Key being to ensure that more value is added to our core business of providing efficient tax services to taxpayers.
“It is crucial to further note that the process is still under way, including consultations with other relevant stakeholders. So, no final decision has been made.”
Sunday Independent