Pretoria, Tuesday 17 November 2020 – The General Assembly Meeting of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has elected the Commissioner-General of the Togolese Revenue Office, Mr Philippe Tchodie, as the new Chairperson of the ATAF Council and the Commissioner of SARS, Mr Edward Kieswetter, as the ATAF vice-chairperson. 

The ATAF Council is elected for a two-year term to provide strategic guidance and leadership for the fulfilment of the organisation’s vision and objectives. The new Council to preside over the destiny of the organisation is composed of Togo (Chair), South Africa (Vice-Chair), Burundi, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, The Gambia, Uganda and Zambia.

SARS was not only instrumental in the formation of ATAF but as a former founder member has remained seized by the activities of the organization since its inception 10 years ago.

Mr Kieswetter said he was delighted at the trust that tax organisations on the African continent placed in SARS. 

“This is a wonderful endorsement of the vital role played by SARS in helping to grow our country and our continent through the effective and efficient administration of our tax system.  

“African tax administrations have the mammoth task of dealing with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the short term, while boosting domestic revenue and curbing practices such as transfer pricing and the illicit financial flows of vast sums of money that are lost to the continent every year,” Mr Kieswetter said.

“In this regard, SARS will continue to play its role as a fellow African tax authority in building capacity, sharing information and applying the relevant treaties that are aimed at promoting tax compliance throughout the continent.”

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