National Treasury on Tuesday said it would be seeking clarity about a reports of a rogue unit at the South African Revenue Service (SARS), similar to the so-called rogue unit that pitted Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan against the Directorate for Priority Crime investigation (Hawks) earlier this year.
This comes after a Sunday report that SARS Commissioner, Tom Moyane, had authorised the setting up of a secret unit to investigate employees suspected of being involved in corrupt activities in the tobacco industry, including victimisation of competitors of British American Tobacco.
Treasury said it noted media reports purporting that it was investigating the SARS rogue unit.
“It is important to point out that National Treasury first learnt about the unit through the media,” Treasury said on Tuesday.
“The department is in the process of looking into the matter and intends to seek clarification from SARS on the alleged unit. Currently there is no so-called investigation on the matter.”
The Sunday Times said an internal memo revealed that Moyane’s unit had been mandated to conduct undercover operations, set up agent traps and intercept the communications of SARS employees thought to be involved. It was reported that the unit would work with the Hawks‚ the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and police crime intelligence.