In March 2017, a report titled “Operation Checkmate” was presented to the top six officials of the ANC as “proof” of why Gordhan and former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas had to be axed. Although the officials and alliance partners dismissed the document, Zuma nonetheless fired Gordhan and Jonas.
Gordhan said when it came to filling the post of Sars commissioner, Moyane’s name was “floating around”, but there were 120 other candidates who were either at his level or more experienced.
President Cyril Ramaphosa fired Moyane on November 1 after accepting a recommendation by the chairperson of the Sars commission of inquiry, retired judge Robert Nugent.
Nugent recommended Moyane’s dismissal in an interim report prepared last month. He also recommended that a permanent commissioner be appointed for the revenue service.
Moyane is taking Rampahosa to court to challenge his dismissal.