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I have today written to the Chairperson of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Yunus Carrim, requesting him to summon SARS Commissioner, Tom Moyane, to appear before the Committee urgently. Mr Moyane must appear and must table the full and uncensored KPMG report into the so-called SARS “rogue unit” which was due in June, but has not yet been released.

While the KPMG report was set to be released in June 2015, we are now two weeks into July and both SARS and National Treasury have gone silent about the report, revealing no details as to whether it has been received, or when it will be tabled before Parliament.

The KPMG report is required by the Committee so that it can properly interrogate the Sikhakhane report, which was also inexplicably delayed and kept from the Committee earlier this year.

Delay after delay, it appears that SARS has some serious skeletons in its closet that it is intent on keeping hidden.

Indeed the actions taken following the findings of the Sikhakhane Report were cherry-picked, with many recommendations – such as a judicial commission of inquiry – not being instituted without any reason or explanation.

The controversy around the so called “rogue unit” at the South African Revenue Service has already resulted in numerous dismissals and departures of top management, in what looks like a purge of anyone who knows the truth or asks difficult questions to those in power.

While these suspensions have been under the guise of disciplinary action relating to the alleged wrongdoings by certain individuals, there is ample reason to believe that this is as a result of the sensitive investigations that are ongoing at SARS. These investigations include a probe into the tobacco industry – as well as investigations into the ANC’s tax bill and the President’s own tax bill.

With the completion of both reports, the Committee must now interrogate these fundamental and serious issues within SARS top management.

The DA believes that transparency is a crucial component of a successful democracy. It is therefore imperative and fair that state institutions do not pick and choose when to give meaning to this principle but that it be applied consistently.

While Mr Monyane refuses to act transparently, Parliament must step in and compel him to do so.

Issued by DA