Cape Town – The reason for the fire that caused damage to records and documents at the Johannesburg CBD branch of the SA Revenue Service (Sars) remains a mystery, necessitating the provision of services through online means.
A fire occurred in the basement level of the Sars building in Rissik Street in Marshalltown on Wednesday, damaging files and documents, Times Live reported.
Staff and taxpayers were safely evacuated.
SARS building JHB CBD on fire 🔥 🔥🚒🚒🚒@pmcafrica pic.twitter.com/5jn5kf683u
— Peché Africa 🇿🇦 (@pmcafrica) September 20, 2023
The cause of the fire is unknown, and services have been suspended at the branch, the report said.
Sars will offer services online, and taxpayers can make appointments for assistance via the Sars website or visit other branches.
Sars Gauteng regional director Nathaniel Mabetwa said it was unlikely any files were completely destroyed, EWN reported.
“We’ve got enough records that are actually digitised, so we don’t necessarily have the paper-based approach that we used to have,” the report quoted Mabetwa as saying.
The incident is part of a series of fires in Johannesburg, including the City of Johannesburg’s metro centre and a hijacked building in Marshalltown.
Investigations into the cause of these fires are ongoing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
