Serame defends SA tax consultant
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday August 1, 2022 06:00
Even though no names of the company or directors were mentioned, the Minister confirmed the decision and said no Batswana companies could deliver the consultancy job.
Molepolole North legislator, Oabile Regoeng had asked the minister to confirm or deny whether a foreign company has been engaged to provide consultancy services for BURS.
He had also wanted to establish whether the engagement was a direct appointment or through close or open tender arrangement; if it was through open tender, how many Batswana and Botswana companies expressed interest?
Furthermore, he had wanted the minister to state the duration of the contract and the fees attached; and if she is aware of some allegations of misconduct and corruption (at the country of origin of the consultant) involving one of the key directors of the company engaged.
"I wish to confirm that BURS has over the years engaged various foreign owned companies to provide an array of services in tax administration. Currently, a South African-based company has been engaged to provide advisory services at BURS.
I further wish to confirm that the appointment of this particular company to provide advisory services to BURS was through direct appointment method of procurement. The procurement process was conducted in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) legislations and procedures.
The justification for direct appointment was due to the fact that the tax administration environment is unique and local experience on tax administration is limited, as there is only one tax administration organ in each jurisdiction globally,” she said.
Serame also said the appointed company was therefore, preferred considering its vast experience in tax administration functional areas such as auditing, transfer pricing, compliance risk, handling media, mentoring and coaching of senior management in tax administration.
She stated that the company has been providing various services to BURS since 2018 and therefore was considered to be familiar with the operations of the Revenue Service. She said with the current contract, the service provider has been engaged for a period of one year effective from the March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023 for an amount of P1,9 million inclusive of VAT on imported services. She further said her ministry, through BURS, is aware of media allegations of misconduct and corruption against one of the directors of the company engaged.
"However, I can confirm that due diligence was undertaken in the selection of the company.
We are not aware of conviction against any of the directors in a court of law in the company’s country of origin or elsewhere. The BURS’ decision to appoint the company was solely based on their profound experience in the area of tax administration. So far, great value has been gained from the company towards transforming BURS to be more effective and efficient in executing their mandate, particularly maximisation of revenue collection,” she said.