Advocate Rudolf Mastenbroek, who formed part
of a committee appointed by Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene to advise
him on the South African Revenue Service (SARS), was severely
conflicted, an explosive affidavit lodged with the Press Ombudsman has
revealed.
Mr Mastenbroek was part of retired judge Frank Kroon’s committee mandated with fixing the problems at the revenue service.
The committee has since found that the contentious "rogue unit" at the revenue service was illegal.
The
explosive affidavit, lodged by former senior investigative reporter
Pearlie Joubert was read out on Tuesday during a press ombudsman hearing
initiated by counsel for former deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay and
former SARS head of investigations Johann Van Loggerenberg.
It said Advocate Mastenbroek had tried to get damaging stories — falsely implicating the two officials — published before his appointment to the committee.
Mr Pillay and Mr van Loggerenberg have complained to the ombudsman about a story published in the Sunday Times last month, containing further developments in the long-running saga surrounding the "rogue unit".
Mr Mastenbroek was part of retired judge Frank Kroon’s committee mandated with fixing the problems at the revenue service.
The committee has since found that the contentious "rogue unit" at the revenue service was illegal.
 |
| Ivan Pillay. |
It said Advocate Mastenbroek had tried to get damaging stories — falsely implicating the two officials — published before his appointment to the committee.
Mr Pillay and Mr van Loggerenberg have complained to the ombudsman about a story published in the Sunday Times last month, containing further developments in the long-running saga surrounding the "rogue unit".
