The recruitment process to find a suitable full-time candidate for the role of tax ombud is still underway, though Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is “confident that it will be concluded shortly”, his department said on Monday.
In a joint statement, the ministry of finance and the office of the tax ombud said the term of acting tax ombud Professor Thabo Legwaila had been extended for a further three months with effect from 7 January. This comes after retired Gauteng judge president Bernard Ngoepe stepped down in September 2022.
Ngoepe held the role for three terms, from 2013 until the end of September.
“Prof Legwaila has previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Office Tax Ombud and is well-versed with the tax regulations of the country.He is a more than capable steward of this office, which plays a critical role in improving the overall tax administration of the Republic and ensuring that taxpayers have an avenue to resolve any complaints that they may have against the National Revenue Authority equitably and an in a timely manner,” the statement said on Monday.
“The reappointment extends Prof. Legwaila’s tenure as Acting Tax Ombud following his appointment in October 2022 to replace Judge Bernard Ngoepe. The recruitment process to find a suitable full-time candidate for the role is still underway, and Minister Godongwana is confident that it will be concluded shortly.”
Legwaila joined the office in April 2020. Previously, he was head of tax for Africa at City Bank, as well as being a professor of tax law at the University of Johannesburg for eight years.
He was also a director of business tax at the Tax and Financial Sector Policy Division of National Treasury from 2006 until 2010.
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