A senior SARS official has resigned ahead of a disciplinary hearing into her alleged irregular awarding of tenders which has cost the taxman about R5 million. Weekend Argus has learnt that SARS's general manager for research and segmentation, Mandisa Mokwena, tendered her resignation before her disciplinary hearing.
Mokwena, a former Unisa lecturer, was implicated in a tender scandal which involved senior academics from the institution. SARS spokesman Adrian Lackay confirmed Mokwena resigned at the end of last year. But Lackay said the criminal investigation into the matter was in the hands of the police. "Mokwena is no longer an employee of SARS after her unilateral decision to resign. As such Sars cannot continue with internal disciplinary proceedings against her. Due process within the criminal justice system will now follow and further punitive actions in this regard would be at the discretion of SA Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority," said Lackay.
Mokwena blamed SARS for delaying the hearing, saying she was ready, because she believed in her innocence. "I waited for seven months. I was ready. I was not part of the procurement system, I was very senior and only came at the approval stage. They should have dealt with junior employees. I needed closure so that I can start with my life." Mokwena was suspended in August following a forensic investigation by auditors Pricewaterhouse Coopers. This was after the investigators reported a number of questionable contracts awarded by Mokwena, between 2007 and last year. The pattern involved quotations of about R500 000 from the same three companies or individuals. Investigators believe that this was done to subvert the process of putting out the contracts to public tender - as the law requires of any transaction of more than R500 000.
A company called Ecko Research Services CC - always with the lowest quote - would then be awarded the contracts in the end. Ecko Research's sole director is Maria Phake, who is the personal assistant to Professor Oludele Akinboade, the head of Unisa's School of Economic Sciences. Another company, Manol Advisory Research, was also implicated.
Source: IoL
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