Sack Tom Moyane from SARS, recommends Judge Robert Nugent

Judge Robert Nugent recommended that President Cyril Ramaphosa replace suspended SARS commissioner Tom Moyane immediately.

"We consider it imperative that a new Commissioner be appointed without delay to remove the uncertainty at SARS and enable it to be set on a firm course of recovery so as to arrest ongoing loss of revenue," states the interim report on the Nugent Commission of Inquiry into SARS.

The Presidency received the interim report, spokesperson Khusela Diko confirmed to Fin24 on Tuesday.

The Presidency issued a statement indicating that the president is "applying his mind" to the contents of the interim report, and the recommendations made by Nugent.

The president has also made a copy of the 30-page report available to Moyane.

"As part of this process, President Ramaphosa has furnished a copy of the interim report to suspended SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane. The President has invited Mr Moyane to make any submissions he may have on the interim report or its recommendations," the statement read.

According to the report, Nugent has recommended that Moyane be sacked, pending the outcomes of a disciplinary inquiry against him.

"We stress that the replacement of Mr Moyane is not a panacea, but only the first necessary measure without which there is no possibility of rectifying the damage that has been done to SARS, and any further recommendations will be fruitless, hence our recommendation at this stage, without awaiting the Commission’s final report."

Moyane's disciplinary hearing has been suspended, pending the completion of the inquiry, which is due to wrap up in December.

• READ: 5 reasons why Tom Moyane’s disciplinary was postponed

Earlier SARS briefed Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance on the agency's annual report. On the sidelines, acting commissioner Mark Kingon told Fin24 that he would be willing to serve in the position permanently if the president deemed it fit.

Former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene had extended Kingon's term for a second time in September.

Last week, at a panel discussion on the mini budget, Mazars senior tax partner Bernard Sacks said that SARS needs someone to fill the position permanently as the situation creates uncertainty at the agency.

Read the full report here:

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