Relationship with Moyane ‘reason I’m here’

Amanda Watson

When news of the now discredited “rogue unit” at the SA Revenue Service (Sars) broke, it created a flood of media enquiries, a former Sars spokesperson testified at the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration in Johannesburg yesterday.

“During that period there were many negative news headlines and by sheer number, it was unprecedented,” said Adrian Lackay. “The institution had never attracted so many headlines and so much negative news coverage as at that moment.”

Lackay is suing Sars for constructive dismissal, claiming his working conditions became so bad he was forced to resign after working there for 12 years.

He said yesterday he knew he was facing disciplinary action when he went on leave after failing to meet Sars Commissioner Tom Moyane following a request from his immediate superior, Georgiou Radesich. The meeting was supposed to heal the growing rift between them, but it never happened as Lackay claimed he had been unable to meet Moyane.

According to Lackay, Moyane believed his e-mails were being intercepted. When he tried to provide a rational explanation for Moyane’s suspicions, it was not believed, he said.

“There was a Sars official, Mr Kenneth Fitoyi, who was dismissed some time ago. He kept sending many e-mails with many allegations to the inbox of the Sars commissioner. There was a request for his e-mails to be blocked by the Sars systems. I believe that was the basis on which commissioner Moyane believed his e-mails were being intercepted,” Lackay said.

Advocate Wisani Sibuyi, for Sars, suggested Lackay and Moyane had a good working relationship. “In fact, the opposite is true,” Lackay responded. “That is the reason why I’m here.”

The hearing continues today.