Magashula findings likely next week

Pravin Gordhan (Image: GCIS)

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan told the portfolio committee on finance on Wednesday (15 May) that he was hoping to meet with retired Constitutional Court judge Zak Yacoob and Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, who are conducting the probe, to establish when he would receive a report. He expects to meet them by next week.

"I appointed two people to find out what the facts are. I'm informed that they are about to conclude their work," he said.

Gordhan launched an inquiry into Magashula's conduct in April after a telephonic conversation surfaced in which Magashula was recorded offering a young woman a R700,000-a-year job at SARS. The woman was reportedly known to have ties to convicted drug dealer Panganathan Marimuthu, who is said to have arranged the meeting.

SARS has reportedly confirmed the authenticity of the recording, but said that Magashula had been set up by Marimuthu.

Gordhan said Treasury remained committed to stamping out corrupt activities among officials.

"Our resolve is to combat corruption and non-compliance wherever it exists," he said.

Presenting the SARS strategic plan and budget for the current financial year, Magashula said administrative penalties were having a significant impact on compliance among individual taxpayers. In the previous financial year, SARS had collected R1.5bn in penalties. In addition, in the past three months, R400m a month had been collected.

Magashula said tobacco smuggling needed specific attention as illicit cigarettes had resulted in a considerable loss of revenue to the fiscus.

Source: Sowetan via I-Net Bridge