Many lessons for KPMG – and other state capture collaborators

KPMG’s collusion with the real rogues in SARS has destabilised our finance ministry, compromised SARS and resulted in loss of some of the finest public servants. The adequacy of the steps they've taken today must be measured against this damaging impact on South Africa.

Their experience over the past few days should serve as a reminder to all South African corporates that they will be held accountable – whether today, tomorrow or next year -- for collaborating with state capture.

After intense public pressure, KPMG has been forced to get rid of nine executives, retract its hugely damaging report on SARS, attempt to deal with fundamental reputational damage, and an offer to “pay back the money”.

As Save South Africa, we are encouraged by the outcomes of our campaign against KPMG, and the impact of people’s pressure. We are also very pleased with this public accountability -- but it's not good enough.

We demand:

That the auditing profession looks deeply into the causes of the scandal, and what the impact is for good and honest people within the firm.

That the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA) intensify its investigation into KPMG and other areas relating to state capture where it has jurisdiction.

The profession should also begin the process of disbarring all the partners and executives who were part of the Gupta project and/or SARS project. They should not be allowed to do this sort of thing again.

That audit professionals of integrity in that firm take a principled stand and disassociate themselves with the conduct of their company and consider resigning.

That corporate South Africa, especially those who signed the recently published business integrity pledge, should cut ties with KPMG.

That organised business – including Business Leadership South Africa and Business Unity South Africa – must isolate all those corporates involved in state capture, and we demand that KPMG in particular be removed from the BLSA membership base.

This is a lesson that all those already implicated in state capture – such as SAP and McKinsey – should take to heart, and quickly. They must ensure the same level of responsibility and accountability, at the very least, or face the same pressure that forced KPMG to respond.

They are already on borrowed time.

For those who have yet to be identified in state capture projects, we say: Come clean now. Spill the beans – or face the same public embarrassment and pressure as Bell Pottinger, KPMG, SAP and McKinsey.

We will continue to pressurize SAP and McKinsey to ensure they own up to their collaboration with the Guptas, and that they face the consequences. We will also continue to demand that South African corporates isolate the Guptas and all companies that do business with them, such as KPMG.

And we will continue to insist that the Guptas and their adopted son, Duduzane Zuma, should be charged, jailed or deported for their central role in state capture.

We believe no amount of retraction of financial penance can make up for the damage to our political ecosystem, our government, our revenue service and our National Treasury.

KPMG's SARS report was a hatchet-job, a weapon to create political division and deal with those fighting against state capture and the looting of state resources. It provided ammunition for a purge of some of our finest and honest leaders and government officials.

Statement issued by Save South Africa, 15 September 2017