SARS has warned employees to stop colluding with taxpayers after two employees were arrested for demanding money from a taxpayer in return for reducing or cancelling the taxpayer’s debt.

According to SARS, the taxpayer claimed he received a call from a SARS employee last week and was invited to a meeting.

“After arriving at the meeting, the taxpayer grew suspicious and contacted the police, who subsequently planned a sting operation with the taxpayer, leading to the arrest of the two employees.”

The arrests were in collaboration with the SARS anti-corruption unit and are being handed over to the Hawks.

SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter condemned the alleged conduct of the employees and issued a strong warning to employees and taxpayers who collude to defraud SARS.

“If it is true that our employees deliberately and intentionally set out to extort money from the taxpayer, then their conduct does not reflect SARS values.”

Kieswetter said the two employees would immediately be suspended and the matter will be dealt with speedily.

He said SARS would work within the law to avoid a long, drawn-out process, where the employees receive their salaries for an extended period.

“Any such corrupt criminal act betrays the hard work of over 12 000 employees, whose commitment and passion to serving all taxpayers and traders are well documented. It is a blot against SARS values of honesty, integrity and serving the well-being of all South Africans, which is our higher purpose,” said Kieswetter.

He said since 2019, 15 individuals including seven employees had been arrested for some form of corrupt behaviour related to tax and customs administration.

“During this period, 13 individuals have also been successfully convicted for these crimes. Furthermore, since 2019, as a result of disciplinary actions against employees, 57 individuals have been dismissed and 60 resigned.”

Kieswetter said the former staff’s departure from SARS did not rule out further consideration of criminal charges.

“Several additional investigations are underway.”

He said SARS would not tolerate any form of corruption that undermined the trust of South Africans in the institution.