A new report alleges that SARS chief officer, Jonas Makwakwa, made ‘highly unusual’ cash deposits into his private bank account – causing enough suspicion to warrant investigation.<\/p>\n
The report, compiled by a banking regulator, has been handed over to SARS commissioner Tom Moyane, according to the Sunday Times.<\/p>\n
According to the report, Makwakwa received up to R1.2-million between 2010 and January this year. Moreover, his partner who is also a SARS employee, received cash deposits amounting to R450,200, the Sunday Times said.<\/p>\n
The preliminary report was handed to Moyane in May, and contains bank records for 11 different bank accounts, along with camera footage documenting the alleged suspicious behaviour.<\/p>\n
SARS spokesman Sandile Memela declined to comment, the Sunday Times said, while both Makwakwa and his partner said the matter was “sub judice” and also declined to comment.<\/p>\n
Investigators reportedly found cash deposits of R785,130 made between 2010 and 2016. The report also highlighted a credit of R147,850.65 on Makwakwa’s account after he exchanged $13,500 in 2014.<\/p>\n
The report concluded that the “volume and value of cash deposits are highly unusual” for a permanent employee, and should be investigated “in light of the position of authority held by [Makwakwa]”.<\/p>\n
Although the investigation is still at an early stage, the trail of payments appears to have also led investigators to vehicle and property purchases in Makwakwa’s partner’s name.<\/p>\n
She is believed to be Makwakwa’s common-law wife and the mother of two of his children, the Sunday Times said.<\/p>\n
In particular, investigators raised questions about three large cash deposits – two of R160,000 each and one of R130,200 – that appeared to be inconsistent with the profile of\u00a0Makwakwa’s partner who is a mid-level employee in SARS’s legal department.<\/p>\n
The report also highlighted a sum of R480,000 that was transferred via EFT into Makwakwa’s bank account in three tranches in April and May last year – almost half of which appears to have been used to buy a Mercedes for Elskie.<\/p>\n
Read the full article in the 11 September, 2016 edition of the Sunday Times.<\/em><\/p>\n Gordhan: Zuma decides whether I stay, Hawks can arrest me whenever they like<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Hawks want Nene to testify against Gordhan: report<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMore on Sars<\/h3>\n