Among the recommendations are a probe of Bain’s contracts, the amendment of the Sars Act and that former commissioner Tom Moyane be charged with perjury for lying to parliament
Former Sars commissioner Tom Moyane. Picture: TREVOR SAMSON
In the report, Zondo writes: “The Sars evidence is a clear example of how the private sector colluded with the executive, including President Zuma, to capture an institution that was highly regarded internationally and render it ineffective.” “Sars was systemically and deliberately weakened, chiefly through the restructuring of its institutional capacity, strategic appointments and dismissals of key individuals, and a pervasive culture of fear and bullying. It is a clear example of state capture.”Moyane was promised the position of Sars commissioner by Zuma well in advance of his formal appointment, despite a process under way to select someone for the post.
Some of Sars’ most important units “were disbanded or restructured” so that their work was put on hold or abandoned, “thus fundamentally weakening the revenue collection function”. Given everything that went on, Zondo has recommended to Ramaphosa that all of Bain & Company SA’s contracts with the state be checked for legal and constitutional compliance.