Moyane describes Gordhan as condescending, who has racist tendencies

Former South African Revenue Services (SARS) commissioner Tom Moyane has called Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan a condescending man who has racist tendencies.

Speaking at the Commission of Inquiry Into State Capture, Moyane has recalled several episodes where Gordhan shouted and embarrassed him in front of people.

Furthermore, Moyane says Gordhan was jealous of him and treated him like a leper.

Moyane told the commission that while Commissioner of SARS, he exceeded his tax collection targets for three consecutive years: collecting a surplus of R7.3 billion in the 2014-2015 and a surplus of R200 million in the 2015-2016 financial year.

Moyane says he has been dragged into the State capture façade while there is no evidence to back allegations against him.

“I had an aggrieved relationship with Gordhan from the time he returned at SARS. He was always shouting and I finally retaliated in kind when his uncouth behaviour showed itself again in a recorded telephone transcript given to the commission that the man is racist and condescending.”

“In conclusion chairperson, you pronounce a determination that Gordhan spoke from gossip and jealously blinded by his racist attitude towards me,” adds Moyane.

Below is the live stream proceedings:

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‘My removal from SARS was orchestrated’

Moyane has alleged his removal from SARS was a well-orchestrated process.

In an open statement to the commission, Moyane claims the commission gave Gordhan limitless time to tarnish his name while his legal counsel received an hour to defend his name at the commission.

The former SARS commissioner was appointed by former President Jacob Zuma to head SARS in 2014.

“On March 16, 2018, I received a call from my office that President [Cyril] Ramaphosa wishes to see me on Sunday, March 17, at his private residence, I duly confirmed my attendance. Later that afternoon I saw an article on News24 and Sam Mkokeli [journalist] Bloomberg [news website] titled expect to soon see new leadership at SARS.”

“The meeting between me and the president timing was ominous indeed confirmed in not so many words. There were no discussions about my performance or lack of between me and the President. On 18 March 2018, I was suspended,” explains Moyane.