Africa-Press – South-Africa. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) said the ongoing strike at its operations has caused continued delays, forcing the tax body to close 40 branches throughout the country.
The Public Servants’ Association (PSA) and the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) resumed their strike at SARS after wage negotiations hit a deadlock again last week.
While the unions demand a 7% increase, SARS offered to channel its savings from 2021 towards salaries. Unions rejected this, saying it would only add up to a 1.3% increase, while SARS maintains that it could not afford the 7% increase without further funding.
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The statement added that SARS would follow up on virtual bookings that were not honoured due to the strike as branches worked towards recovery. SARS advised taxpayers to use its digital services in the meantime.
SARS strike to resume from Tuesday as unions reject wage offer
Branches affected by the industrial action include East London in the Eastern Cape, Pretoria North in Gauteng, Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Town in the Western Cape, and Nelspruit in Mpumalanga.
SARS said the 12 branches that managed to remain fully open on Monday are Worcester in the Western Cape; Witbank and Standerton in Mpumalanga; Ashley Gardens, Roodepoort, Randburg, Rissik, Dooringkloof, Pavilion, and Boksburg in Gauteng; and Gqeberha and Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape.
The SARS branch in Mmambatho in the North West was only open for appointments set for Monday.
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