Madonsela seeks help from SARS

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has called on the SA Revenue Service (Sars) to help her office probe fraud, abuse of power and corruption.

"We have been exploring the possibility of approaching you for assistance in the difficult issue of investigations into abuse of funds through irregular practices such as fraud, abuse of power and corruption," she said on Tuesday.

Madonsela was speaking at a Sars national legal workshop in Durban.

The public protector’s office needed help from Sars because the tax man’s office had systems reputed to be among the best in the world, she said.

"My office is exploring the possibility of benchmarking with your office particularly, in the area of automated case management."

Sars was seen as a leader on professionalism, she said. Madonsela said questionable relationships usually lay at the core of irregular tenders and other financial wrongdoing.

"As you know, Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office records mean nothing these days. Sophisticated ways are designed every day to channel the proceeds of inflated and improperly awarded tenders. Perhaps you could help us."

The collaboration could be done through the proposed Tax Administration Bill. Madonsela said it was in Sars' interest to ensure public funds were not squandered.