Rational Perspective

When future historians chronicle the beacons of resistance during South Africa’s destructive Zupta era, they are sure to be surprised by how much extraordinary courage was displayed by seemingly ordinary people.

Adrian Lackay is one of the most obvious examples.

Our paths first crossed more than a dozen years ago when SA’s tax collection agency SARS was in combat with serial entrepreneur Dave King, the once-time billionaire tax fugitive who disputed he owed anything but eventually made a record R706m settlement.

Lackay who was then the SARS communications manager, was subsequently promoted to its spokesman. Judging by our interaction over the years, he was deeply trusted by National Commissioner Pravin Gordhan, who has gone on to play a key role at the very highest level in South African governance first as Finance Minister then in his current role with responsibility for Public Enterprises.

As you will hear in this episode of the Rational Perspective podcast, like his former boss, Lackay’s integrity resulted in him being put through the mill by the forces of darkness which, at one point, appeared to have complete control over the important levers of the South African State.

Last Thursday Lackay’s three year legal fight with the now suspended SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane finally ended when a R12m law suit against him was withdrawn. He is now free to tell the inside story of how the once highly respected institution was brought to its knees by bullying, abuse and deceit - aided and abetted by dirty lawyers and unquestioning "journalists".