Bain admits to ‘serious failure’ with Sars

“Third, it is also clear that while we started the work in good faith (still believing, misguidedly, that everybody’s intention was to improve Sars), by late 2016 we either knew, or should have known, that Mr Moyane had a different agenda. It was a mistake not to walk away also at this point, instead seeing out our contract through March 2017.”

Bain says some responsibility lay with Massone, who “displayed poor judgment” in drawing the company into the Sars assignment, and then failing to adhere to company principles, especially around transparency. 

The company says it should have exercised more oversight over Massone and should have had better public-sector protocols in place. “In hindsight, there is evidence to suggest that Mr Moyane was pursuing a personal political agenda at Sars. Proper due diligence on Mr Moyane may have identified this risk.”  

Bain also admits that it was “naive” about South African politics and worked on Sars “without a full appreciation of the political environment and the agendas that individuals were pursuing”. 

After Massone’s resignation in November, Bain appointed a new SA head, John Senior. To make amends, it will participate in any other judicial inquiry to explain what happened at Sars, will set up a public-sector working group, and develop a public-sector risk function. It will also create a South African advisory board to oversee its operations in the country. 

The company notes, “Sars has been a humbling episode for Bain. We have let SA and ourselves down, and it is our earnest desire to make good our wrong.”  

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