Senior official hits back after SARS denials in court drama

SARS official Vlok Symington has hit back at his employer‚ who in court papers filed on Monday denied his allegations of political interference at the revenue service.

The high court battle started last month when Symington applied for an urgent interdict to halt disciplinary proceedings against him.

SARS has maintained there is no witch hunt against Symington‚ who made headlines after an alleged hostage drama in a SARS boardroom in October.

Symington alleges he was held against his will by members of the Hawks and Thabo Titi‚ personal bodyguard to SARS commissioner Tom Moyane, as they attempted to take back documents sent to Symington in error.

The documents relate to fraud charges brought against former finance minister Pravin Gordhan.

Following the incident‚ Symington approached the National Prosecuting Authority and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).

Symington maintains the disclosures were covered by the Protected Disclosures Act.

Symington has since been charged with misconduct for the incident.

“I maintain the decision by Moyane to bring disciplinary charges against me is motivated by the fact that I made the protected disclosures [to Ipid and the NPA]‚” Symington said in his replying affidavit.