The Hawks have confirmed that an investigation into the second-in-command SARS executive and alleged money-launderer Jonas Makwakwa is ongoing, says a HuffPost SA report. Makwakwa was returned last week to a crucial job at the under-performing revenue authority after a year's suspension. SARS spokesperson Sandile Memela said the executive would not be suspended again following the Hawks confirmation that an investigation is still in progress.

Makwakwa was red-flagged by the money-laundering authorities for suspicious deposits into his personal accounts made over six years. Between him and his wife – Kelly-Ann Elskie, who also works at SARS – the two made deposits worth about R1.6m into their accounts.

Both are on fixed salaries and SARS various integrity and ethical codes of conduct do not allow staff to undertake other work.

‘SARS will not suspend Jonas Makwakwa pending this investigation. SARS is not aware of any misconduct pertaining to his job at SARS he may have committed,’ Memela said.

But Hogan Lovells – the law firm that carried out an independent investigation into the allegations against Makwakwa – said it had recommended that disciplinary action is taken against him.

‘SARS subsequently followed its own internal disciplinary procedures, which included charges relating to Makwakwa's breach of his suspension conditions and the failure to disclose. A hearing was convened and chaired by an independent senior counsel, Advocate Terry Motau SC. The findings of that internal inquiry acquitted Makwakwa of all charges,’ Hogan Lovell's Lavery Modise said.

Full HuffPost SA report