Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma on Friday ruled out appointing a judicial commission on inquiry into the turmoil at the South African Revenue Service.
In a written response to a parliamentary question, Zuma said two recent interventions at Sars were adequate for the moment.
“I am of the view that at this stage that there is sufficient, independent attention and investigations of the matters,” Zuma replied to a question from Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane.
He listed the Sikhakhane Report, produced by an inquiry which probed the existence of a so-called “rogue spy unit” within Sars as well as the conduct of former Sars investigations head, Johann van Loggerenberg, and the advisory committee appointed by Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene in February.
Sars has in the past year been shaken by scandals, internal strife and resignations. Officials have been suspended as a result of the Sikhakhane report but Sars Commissioner Tom Moyane recently said it was not ready for release.
In response to another question, Zuma said government’s Anti-Corruption Task Team was currently investigating 945 people, of whom 228 are or were government officials.
Out of this figure, 23 senior officials are being prosecuted for graft, he added.
The task team was set up in 2010. In January, the presidency denied claims by Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille that government had dismantled its leadership and left it toothless.
ANA