Fear rules SARS, Nugent inquiry hears
21 August 2018
A climate of fear has engulfed the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to the point that some staff members are afraid to come forward to give evidence to the Nugent Commission, which is probing tax administration and governance issues at the revenue service.
This revelation came out at the opening of the inquiry which resumed on Tuesday in Pretoria.
Judge Robert Nugent, who is heading the commission, asked SARS official Dr Randall Carolissen during his presentation if he was aware that the organisation "reek[ed] of fear", and that some people were unwilling to come forward to give evidence for fear of reprisals.
"People have point black refused to come and talk to us. I can compel them, but they remain fearful," said Nugent.