EFF slams Mboweni’s ‘sinister’ attempts to appoint ‘incompetent’ Sars boss

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have released a statement expressing concern over the “secretive and suspicious manner” in which Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is “facilitating the recruitment and appointment” of South Africa’s new South African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner.

A new commissioner is needed after Ramaphosa’s sacking of Tom Moyane after a nine-month suspension. Moyane attempted unsuccessfully to have his dismissal challenged in court, taking it all the way up to the Constitutional Court, where his bid for leave to appeal was dismissed on Tuesday.

The party said it was “aware of sinister attempts to impose an incompetent and unqualified person as the new head of Sars”.

READ MORE: Mboweni puts Trevor Manuel in charge of recommending new Sars commissioner

The statement points out that when Judge Robert Nugent presented the findings of his inquiry into conduct at Sars at the standing committee on finance in parliament, Nugent argued for a secret interview process.

Tax ombudsman Judge Bernard Ngoepe disagreed, calling for a transparent process, something the EFF also wants, according to the statement.

The statement alleges that the Nugent inquiry into Sars has “taken over the operations” of the revenue collector.

The party has sent Mboweni a list of questions regarding the recruitment process of the new commissioner.

EFF Statement on the secretive recruitment of the Commissioner of SARS. pic.twitter.com/4XJxHeTPvM

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 14, 2019

The party makes no reference in the statement to the panel that was set up by Mboweni to advise him on the appointment of a new Sars commissioner.

The Citizen reported last week that the panel would be chaired by former finance minister Trevor Manual, and would also include Judge Dennis Davis, deputy director general of Treasury Ismael Momoniat, businesswomen Sindi Mabaso-Koyana and Angela Bester, advocate Thandi Orleyn, and packaging company Nampak’s human resources director, Fesekile Tshiqi.

READ MORE: Moyane loses Concourt bid to appeal against his dismissal

“The minister of finance is overseeing the initial steps of the appointment process, and will submit the panel’s recommendations to the president for his consideration,” the finance ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the panel had already commenced its work and was expected to complete the process in the next few weeks.

Mark Kingon has been acting Sars head since Moyane’s departure.

(Compiled by Daniel Friedman)

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