Freedom Under Law welcomes Sars 'rogue unit' decision
Lobby group Freedom Under Law has welcomed the decision by prosecutions head Shamila Batohi to drop charges against three former South African Revenue Service (Sars) employees in the so-called 'rogue unit' case.
At the weekend, Batohi withdrew charges against Ivan Pillay, Andries Janse van Rensburg and Johan van Loggerenberg.
The three faced various charges, including that they had set up an illegal unit within Sars to spy on taxpayers.
In a statement, Freedom Under Law chairperson Judge Johann Kriegler says it is important for the tax agency that the trio's names are cleared.
"For the rest of us it is very good news indeed. For Mr Pillay, his co-accused and their many supporters within Sars and elsewhere, it is good that their names are cleared at last.
"For far too long they have been the targets of the vicious lies of the ‘rogue unit’ fantasy, their lives and reputations irreparably damaged," the statement reads.
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In a statement, Batohi 's office says the NDPP has informed relevant prosecutors and the lawyers representing the accused of this decision. Pillay and Van Rensburg were charged with the alleged contravention of Section 49(1) of the Regulation of Interception of Communication and Provision of Communication Related Information Act, No 70 of 2002 (Count 1).
Kriegler adds that the decision is likely to restore the integrity of the taxman.
"It promises honest and competent service from a vital agency in the fight to restore the integrity of the public service.
"We in Freedom Under Law now look forward to rotten apples in the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] responsible for instituting and pursuing these bogus charges – being swiftly identified and dealt with," says Kriegler.
The downside, according to the lobby group, is that "this is bad news for the (former commissioner Tom) Moyane moles left lurking in SARS, and for their embattled ally, the Public Protector.
"It is no doubt also a grave disappointment for certain resourceful politicians, one-eyed conspiracy theorists, media gossips and other 'useful idiots' of the state capture brigade," adds Kriegler.
The unit, commonly referred to as the 'rogue-unit', was set up during now-Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan's tenure as commissioner at Sars.
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