Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana was caught on a dwell microphone venting his frustration – and anger – at SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter after a press briefing in Parliament on Wednesday.
Godongwana, seated alongside Minister within the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Finance Director-General Duncan Pieterse, had simply wrapped up a press convention following the sudden postponement of the 2025 price range announcement.
RELATED | Budget Speech postponement: Healthy democracy or cause for concern?
As reported by The South African website, the embarrassing last-minute delay got here after authorities coalition companions rejected a proposed two-percentage level VAT improve.
ALSO SEE | VAT fight! Budget Speech postponed over tax hike disagreement
As a outcome, the Budget Speech will now be delivered on Wednesday, 12 March 2025.
Cautioned towards tax hikes
During the briefing, Enoch Godongwana addressed reviews that Kieswetter had cautioned towards tax hikes.
Kieswetter reportedly argued as an alternative for larger funding in SARS to get better an estimated R800 billion in uncollected taxes.
Sounds like a good suggestion, doesn’t it!
Asked whether or not this suggestion was thought-about, Godongwana mentioned he had spoken to Kieswetter, who insisted his remarks had been misinterpreted.
‘I called him after seeing the report, and he said, ‘No, no, no, I said that weeks ago, but not in the same context,’ Godongwana defined, including that the commissioner believed his feedback had been misconstrued. The minister emphasised the excellence between their roles, saying, ‘He handles tax administration. I handle tax policy. It’s necessary we every keep in our lanes.’
‘I was worried I’d get offended’
Once the press convention ended, Pieterse was overheard complimenting Godongwana on his dealing with of the Kieswetter query, saying, ‘I’m glad you took that query. You answered it higher than I might have.’
Enoch Godongwana, clearly unaware that the microphones have been nonetheless recording, responded candidly, ‘I was worried I’d get offended.’
Pieterse reassured him, however the finance minister continued, saying, “Oh no, I was a bit worried. He [SARS commissioner] is making me angry, even here he comes up with this rubbish… how would it help me on the 19th? Even now on the 12th, he did not know that we’ve made provision for 3.5 in the new arrangement. But that 3.5 now is gone.”
Ntshavheni then chipped in, asking in Zulu, ‘Uhamba nini yena?’ (When is he leaving?), as reported by East Coast Radio.
For the document, Kieswetter, who was because of step down on 30 April 2024, was requested by President Cyril Ramaphosa to increase his tenure by two years – as reported by The South African website.
Whether the lacking ‘3.5’ is billions or percentages – or simply the finance minister’s persistence – one factor’s for positive: Next time they could need to double-check these microphones are OFF earlier than spilling the tea!
Who do you may have extra religion in: Enoch Godongwana or Edward Kieswetter?
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