Question NW46 to the Minister of Finance
15 December 2016 - NW46
Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)On what date did (a) he, (b) the SA Revenue Services (SARS) Commissioner and (c) SARS Advisory Board receive the (i) preliminary and (ii) final report of KPMG into the SARS alleged “covert intelligence unit”; (2) whether the SARS Commissioner consulted (a) him and/or (b) the SARS Advisory Board on the appropriate response to the (i) preliminary report and/or (ii) final report; if not, in each specified case, why not; if so, in each specified case, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he consulted the (a) SARS Commissioner and/or (b) SARS Advisory Board on the appropriate response to the (i) preliminary report and/or (ii) final report; if not, in each specified case, why not; if so, in each specified case, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
This is a highly contentious matter. It has been further complicated by leaking of documents, a concerted campaign of vilification and even the initiation of criminal charges. The trail of injustice that has characterized this process thus far is evident to all. Under the circumstances the Honourable Member will appreciate that I will, based on legal advice, not venture into past or present details except to say that the South African Revenue Service, as a revenue collection agency, plays an important part in enabling the government to deliver services to its people and as such needs to focus on its core mandate.
It should be noted that some of the detail requested has been provided in a response to a previous parliamentary question.