Parliament, Tuesday, 28 March 2017 – The Standing Committee on Finance received a briefing from the South African Revenue Service (Sars).
Sars Commissioner, Mr Tom Moyane, led the delegation and briefed the Committee on its performance for the three months to end-December. In his opening remarks, Mr Moyane commented about news reports about the tax authority that have been in the public domain. “A lot has been said about Sars and these are damaging to Sars as a leading government agency. The attacks on Sars could sabotage our country and have had an impact on the morale of the staff,” said Mr Moyane.
Responding to the presentation, the Committee noted with concern media reports about tax refunds that have not been paid by Sars. The Committee was of the view that the narrative that is in the public domain about Sars diminishes the good work that has been achieved.
The Committee welcomed the report given on the credentials of the Sars management team. Acting Chairperson, Mr Pule Mabe, said: “The men and women that are tasked to lead the revenue service is a team that has the capacity to deal with the refunds and shortfalls that Sars faces.”
The Committee said Sars should embark on numerous awareness initiatives to preserve its good standing in public. The Committee said these initiatives should also include ongoing public engagements on Sars’ overall performance.
The Committee reiterated that cooperation between Sars and the National Treasury will go a long way to bolster public confidence and position South Africa as an ideal business destination.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE ACTING CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, MR PULE MABE
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