JOHANNESBURG - Sars Acting Commissioner Mark Kingon is currently giving evidence at the Nugent Inquiry on what is being done to move Sars out of the operational crisis that it finds itself in.
Kingon was appointed in March this year, following the suspension of Tom Moyane. Kingon began his testimony today with an emotional apology to the South African public for the massive failures at Sars.
The acting commissioner, on Tuesday said, he was not aware of any intelligence unit operating within the revenue collection agency.
He was asked bluntly by Democratic Alliance member of Parliament (MP) David Maynier whether to his knowledge, there was any intelligence gathering unit, legal or illegal, within Sars or on behalf of the organisation within the State Security Agency (SSA).
"I don't know, but I am not aware of any intelligence unit in the legal sense operating at Sars or for Sars at the SSA," Kingon replied.
TWITTER REACTION
Twitter users have applauded Kingon in his attempts to clean out the problems that Sars is facing.
Take a look at what they are saying below:
#SARSInquiry“We need visionary leadership at this time,” says @sarstax acting commissioner Mark Kingon. He is tackling the problems head-on. @TreasuryRSA @TakeBackTheTax
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 19, 2018
#SARSInquiry Mark Kingon apologises unreservedly for failure at @sarstax- This man has shown excellent leadership!! @TakeBackTheTax @TreasuryRSA
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 19, 2018
Cyril should appoint Mark Kingon as Commissioner on a permanent basis. If he can't because Kingon has no qualifications or because he's a wrong shade of black(I know, I know) or because he's close to retirement then I can think of no one other than Mcebisi Jonas. #SARSInquiry
— Sbonelo Hlophe (@SboneloHlophe) October 19, 2018
Mark Kingon should be employed as a Commissioner on a permanent basis. This man knows tax #SARSInquiry #Leadership
— Lloyd (@FrazenburgLloyd) October 19, 2018
Humility is a rare trait in public servants these days. #MarkKingon @sarstax reminds us that being tax compliant is what takes our country forward. #SARSInquiry
— Kristina Gubic (@africanscribe) October 19, 2018
I am listening to Mark Kingon, I don't know him that well, but if I had my way, I would confirm him as SARS next Commissioner - plus I don't care about the colour of his skin! #SARSInquiry
— Ndaba Mazabane (@Ndabam) October 19, 2018
"Mark Kingon" sounds like a progressive leader. "Lets look into the future" he keeps saying
— Owen Zaba (@Jaribho) October 19, 2018
In the next 4 years 90 senior people are retiring from SARS, says acting commissioner Mark Kingon, who will also be retiring "It scares the heck out of me. #eNCA #SARSInquiry
— Heidi Giokos (@Heidigiokos) October 19, 2018
#SARSInquiry Mark Kingon says: we are aware of @TakeBackTheTax and we going to restart the unit to focus on the illicit trade. He says tobacco is the focus also.
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 19, 2018