SELECTION CRITERIA
A technocrat with a big vision is needed to lead Team SARS
One unique thing about SA is the political views associated with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). To most South Africans, SARS is more than just a bureaucratic institution. It is a brand, much like a national sports team. Only in SA do we collectively stress over whether revenue collection will satisfy or exceed revenue targets, similar to sports scores. In fact, I am surprised that the prediction is not part of the local betting games. At a more serious level, SARS must collect its targets so that the government has sufficient revenue to avoid further borrowing, a further ratings downgrade or even another tax increase. Today, the SARS sports focus is not so much on "targets" but the key players associated with SARS and with the former SARS commissioner taking centre stage. Once firmly in command, he has now been sentenced to exile with previously defeated SARS personnel coming back with a vengeance. Whatever the outcome, the former commissioner is unlikely to return given ...
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