SARS has placed Hlengani Mathebula, Teboho Mokoena and Luther Lebelo on suspension with immediate effect.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced on Wednesday 31 July that is has placed key executives on precautionary suspension and extended the suspension of another executive, pending the finalisation of a disciplinary process in respect of serious allegations of misconduct.
Chief officer of governance, international relations, strategy and communications Hlengani Mathebula, chief officer of human capital and development Teboho Mokoena and group executive of employee relations Luther Lebelo were the three executives placed on precautionary suspension with immediate effect.
The suspension is part of an ongoing comprehensive review of the whole SARS leadership by the commissioner Edward Kieswetter in terms of good governance. It is also in response to the report on the commission of inquiry into tax administration and governance by SARS, the “Nugent Report”.
In the statement, SARS said that it must be re-iterated that these suspensions are precautionary in nature and as such do not amount to findings of any wrongdoing on their part. “A determination in this regard will only be made on the finalisation of the process. SARS requests that the privacy of the individuals concerned and the confidentiality of the employer–employee relationship be respected.”
