Acting Sars commissioner gets another extension

Finance minister Tito Mboweni has re-appointed Mark Kingon as acting commissioner of Sars for a further period of 90 days.

This is the fourth time Kingon’s term has been extended. He took over in March last year when Tom Moyane was suspended after a string of controversies around his running of the tax agency. Moyane was eventually fired by President Cyril Ramaphosa in November following the recommendation of Sars commission of inquiry chair, retired judge Robert Nugent. 

Nugent said that Moyane’s entry into Sars had been a “calamity” for the institution and the tax agency environment during his tenure was characterised by fear, distrust and intimidation.

The National Treasury said in a statement on Thursday that Kingon’s extension would be from March 14 to June 11 or “until such date as the president appoints a new commissioner for Sars” — whichever occurs earlier.

Kingon has begun a process of rebuilding Sars  and has re-established the large business centre, a unit to deal with the illicit economy, and has begun recruiting staff to fill key staff in positions that were vacated during Moyane’s term.

Mboweni appointed a panel to interview a shortlist of candidates for the post of Sars commissioner in February.

The Treasury said in a statement at the time, “The minister of finance is overseeing the initial steps of the appointment process, and will submit the panel’s recommendations to the president for his consideration.” 

Former finance minister Trevor Manuel is chairing the seven-member interview panel which includes judge Dennis Davis, Treasury tax chief Ismail Momoniat, Peotona founder advocate Thandi Orleyn, human resources expert Fezekile Tshiqi, chair of the African Women Chartered Accountants Investment Holding Company Sindi Mabaso-Koyana and businesswoman Angela Bester.

ensorl@businesslive.co.za