Moyane demands that ‘unfair' inquiry be halted

“This is an abuse of power, it is an abuse of justice, it is an abuse of the money of the state,” said Moyane’s legal counsel led by Advocate Dali Mpofu.

They believe the inquiry into governance and administration at the revenue service should be halted as it fails to uphold legal standards.

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Mpofu said his client’s rights have negatively been affected, dubbing the process in which evidence is given by former Sars employees as unfair.

He argued that the suspended official has an immediate right to respond “to some of the lies that have been told here” and that an investigation into his governance at the revenue service is already underway. 

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“It is unfair that Mr. Moyane should be subjected by the same president to two inquiries about governance under him at this institution… the second one is whether it is fair that statements must be made in the absence of Mr. Moyane without his right to rebut those statements at that time.”

But chairperson Judge Robert Nugent said “this is not an inquiry into Mr. Moyane it coincides with the time he is the commissioner” and therefore evidence given about alleged irregularities “were done under his watch”. 

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Moyane’s legal team also disputed Professor Michael Katz seat at the commissioner’s table as they believe him to be conflicted.

Mpofu said Katz’s close relationship with President Cyril Rampahosa renders him unavailable to be an advisor to the commission.

Nugent said he will respond to Moyane’s grievances on Monday.