KPMG must be held accountable

18 September 2017

The ANC Study Group on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has noted KPMG withdrawing some aspects of their report on the South African Revenue Services (SARS) so-called “Rogue Unit” and the subsequent resignation of senior officials at this private auditing firm.

Whilst we welcome KPMG admitting that their report on SARS lacked sufficient evidence to conclude findings of a “Rogue Unit” and offering to repay the R23 million fee it received for the work performed for SARS; we are of the view that KPMG must account for its involvement in what appears to be politically motivated immoral and unethical conduct.

As a firm which does business with various government departments and entities, we are concerned about the possible existence of similar actions where other departments and entities are concerned. The withdrawal of some aspects of the SARS so-called “Rogue Unit” report calls into question the integrity of KPMG as an auditing firm entrusted to do business with the state.

We welcome today’s announcement by SARS stating that they are considering reporting KPMG to parliament through SCOPA with the aim to investigate the immoral conduct of KPMG. SCOPA will, therefore, be calling KPMG to appear before parliament to account for its conduct regarding the SARS so-called ‘Rogue Unit’ report and the subsequent withdrawal of some parts of this report.

Issued by Nonceba Mhlauli, Media Liaison Officer, ANC, 18 September 2017