Judge Bernard Ngoepe has officially ended his time as South Africa’s first Tax Ombud.
Ngoepe held the role for three terms, from 2013 until 30 September 2022.
The finance ministry said in a statement that minister Enoch Godongwana was “truly grateful” for the work Ngoepe did in “establishing the Office of the Tax Ombud and steering it for nine years”.
“Since the inception of the office, Ngoepe spearheaded the goal of the office to help improve the South African tax administration system and provide a free and fair avenue for resolving taxpayers’ complaints against the South African Revenue Service (SARS),” the ministry said.
“Among the achievements of his tenure, Judge BM Ngoepe established an automated complaints management system, enabled systemic investigations and comprehensive reporting when necessary ( alleged delayed payment of refunds by SARS), and published the first Compilation of Taxpayers’ Rights, Entitlements and Obligations to promote taxpayer rights awareness in South Africa.”
Godongwana has appointed the Office of the Tax Ombud’s CEO Professor Thabo Legwaila as acting ombud for the next three months.
Legwaila joined the office in April 2020. He was previously head of tax for Africa at Citi Bank from January 2022 to March 2020. He was at the University of Johannesburg as a professor of tax law for eight years. Before that, he was the director of business tax at the Tax and Financial Sector Policy Division of National Treasury from July 2006 to December 2010.
“Minister Godongwana is confident that Prof. Legwaila will execute the responsibility of this position with diligence,” the ministry said.
Godongwana is now beginning the recruitment process for Ngoepe’s full-time replacement.
Source: News24
