CAPE TOWN - The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has welcomed the dismissal of Tom Moyane by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
As Commissioner of the South African Revenue Services (Sars), Moyane has lost SA significant revenue and credibility, the group said on Friday.
Ramaphosa fired the suspended Sars boss on Thursday evening.
The president reportedly accepted the recommendation of retired judge Robert Nugent, who heads the commission of inquiry into tax administration and governance at Sars, in his interim report that he fire Moyane.
Moyane's axing was confirmed by presidential spokesperson Khusile Diko in a brief telephone interview with Business Report.
BAD REPUTATION
“Ever since the appointment of Tom Moyane by Jacob Zuma, his conduct was mired in controversy,” says Outa chief executive Wayne Duvenage.
“He caused a lot of damage to this once well-respected, world-class institution. The shortfalls in meeting the Sars revenue targets were exponential during his tenure.”
Almost as soon as he was appointed, there was a standoff between him and the Minister of Finance, Outa said in a statement.
“That was very unhealthy for the country,” says Duvenage.
Moyane was suspended seven months ago and two inquiries which followed exposed overwhelming evidence of misconduct and regulation transgressions against him.
“From the Nugent Commission, we see how plans were hatched, even before he was appointed with Bain to capture Sars. Then we saw the removal of qualified, excellent staff through the ‘rogue unit’ claims, along with the decimation of Sars’s ability to go after organised crime, the closure of the big business centre and the decline in the performance of the e-filing system," Outa said
“Tom Moyane was not good for Sars and not good for this country. His departure is welcome.”
Duvenage said Moyane’s departure clears the way to rebuild the Sars capacity, root out Moyane’s cronies whose appointments helped entrench the capture of Sars, bring back expertise and update the systems.
“We must now put this ugly chapter behind us. We wish the President and Sars management the best of luck in rebuilding,” said Duvenage.
Outa believes that Moyane should not escape unscathed but should be prosecuted for his role in leading the damage to Sars.