Statement by Pravin Gordhan on KPMG "admissions"
Although I welcome the withdrawal of the KPMG “SARS” report, I am surprised by the scant regard shown for their role in the “capture” of the revenue service and the huge damage that it has done to the livelihoods and reputations of a very professional, honest and loyal group of public servants. It is unfortunate that a company with the stature of KPMG, with a responsibility and obligation to be objective, has been found to be wanting. This is exacerbated by their collaboration with the Gupta family.
So let me categorically state, that which KPMG ought to have had the integrity and honesty to state:
- The Research and Investigative unit created in the South African Revenue Service (SARS) was legal.
- Its activities in detecting and combatting the illicit tobacco trade and other efforts aimed at bringing an end to tax evasion, were within the law.
- KPMG had no basis, except subservience to a malicious SARS management, to malign a number of individuals and facilitate, I repeat, the capture of a vital state institution.