SARS made these revelations following a request from the DA's John Steenhuisen in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).
In 2022, Ramaphosa claimed that he had received US$580 000 from one Hazim Mustafa, a Sudanese national, as payment for cattle as part of a legitimate business transaction.
A brief statement issued by SARS on Monday stated that the Information Officer, after an extensive search for the record, advised that it could not be found and therefore may not be in existence.
DA Leader John Steenhuisen says the latest revelations render Ramaphosa's claim that these funds were merely the proceeds of a business transaction impossible to believe.
Section 89 Panel Report
The DA says the latest information adds further credence to the Section 89 panel report's findings that prima facie evidence exists that Ramaphosa may have violated the Constitution, the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, as well as his oath of office.
The ANC rejected the panel's report and Ramaphosa vowed to overturn it in court. However, the Constitutional Court last week denied him direct access to challenge the panel's findings.
Steenhuisen says if the President turns to another court, the DA will introduce this new information from SARS as evidence that the panel's report must stand.
The DA said it would also submit this information to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula as yet another reason why she must accede to their request for the urgent establishment of an ad hoc committee to expose the truth behind the President's dirty dollars fully.
The response from SARS also adds further credence to the findings of the Section 89 panel’s report that there exists prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have violated the Constitution, the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, as well as his oath of office. pic.twitter.com/LlWtuSqKhj
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) March 6, 2023
