SARS exodus continues

Ingé Lamprecht

Suspended deputy commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Ivan Pillay and group executive Peter Richer have resigned with immediate effect.

SARS said yesterday “all SARS initiated charges and related investigations have been withdrawn”.

Their resignations follow months of turmoil at SARS.

Last week, the SARS Advisory Board headed by retired judge Frank Kroon, said the establishment of the secret unit within SARS in 2007, which covertly gathered intelligence, was unlawful as SARS did not have the statutory authority to covertly gather evidence.

Its findings drew from the Sikhakhane Report, which followed from an investigation into the media allegations and the conduct of former group executive Johann van Loggerenberg, and other reports.

The board recommended the individual members of management who erred in the unlawful establishment of the unit “should be held to account”. It also recommended the disciplinary proceedings against the SARS members who were suspended following the receipt of the Sikhakhane Report, Pillay and Richer, should be finalised as a matter of urgency.

As a result of their resignations, the disciplinary proceedings won’t continue.

Due to the reorganisation process at SARS no decisions have been made about filling positions.

In a separate statement, the ministry of finance said the resignations would end public speculation about the events.