28 Jul 2022

Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) has engaged a South African based company to provide advisory services.
Minister of Finance, Ms Peggy Serame said the appointment was done through a direct appointment method of procurement in accordance with the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Board (PPADB) legislation and procedures.

Answering a parliamentary question on Wednesday, Ms Serame said the company was engaged for a period of one year effective 1 March 2022 for an amount of P1 990 273.

“The justification for direct appointment was due to the fact that local experience on tax administration is limited as there is only one tax administration organ in each jurisdiction globally.

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,” said the minister.

She noted that the company had provided various services to BURS since 2018 and was therefore familiar with the operations of the revenue services.

She added that BURS over the years had engaged various foreign owned companies to provide an array of services in tax administration.

The decision by BURS to appoint the South African company, she explained, was solely based on its profound experience in the area of tax administration.

She added that great value had been gained so far from the company towards transforming BURS to be more efficient and effective in executing their mandate.

“My 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 any convictions against any of the directors in a court of law in the company’s country of origin or elsewhere,” said the minister.

Molepolole North MP, Mr Oabile Regoeng had asked the minister whether a foreign company had been engaged to provide consultancy services at BURS, and whether the engagement was a direct appointment or through a close or open tender arrangement.

He further wanted to know how many Batswana and Botswana companies had expressed interest, and whether the minister was aware of some allegations of misconduct and corruption (at the country of origin) involving one of the key directors of the company engaged. ENDS