JOHANNESBURG – Strategy and Risk Head Peter Richer has been suspended once again for his alleged involvement in the so-called rogue spy unit, the South African Revenue Services (Sars) confirmed on Wednesday.
He is accused of conducting covert operations to gather information on high-profile figures.
Sars informed Richer of his suspension on Tuesday after rejecting his reasons as to why he should not be suspended.
Richer and Sars Deputy Commissioner Ivan Pillay were suspended by acting commissioner Thomas Moyane last year, despite being cleared by an internal report into the unit and its activities.
The suspensions were lifted after Richer reached an out of court agreement and the Labour Court ordered Pillay’s reinstatement.
Richer has been suspended with pay for one month and was required to hand over his access cards and any other Sars equipment in his possession.
He has also been forbidden from visiting any Sars offices or contacting his colleagues during working hours.
Eyewitness News understands the revenue service rejected his representations as misleading and devoid of all truth.
In the suspension letter sent to Richer, Sars says serious disciplinary action could follow if allegations against him are proven to be true.
The letter goes on to claim that the unit still exists and remains a threat to Sars as it operates outside the organisation’s rules.
