The South African government has banned for 10 years British consultancy Bain & Co, identified by the judicial commission "Zondo" of involvement in public corruption in South Africa during the presidency of Jacob Zuma, it was announced yesterday.

"The effective date of the restriction is from September 5, 2022 to September 4, 2032 for engaging in corrupt and fraudulent practices related to a contract with SARS [South African Revenue Authority]," the Treasury announced in a statement quoted in the local press yesterday.

According to the South African authorities cited by Lusa, the restriction was published on the website and in the database of suppliers restricted by the South African Treasury, and is effective as of this month.

In the list of 122 companies and entities banned to date from providing services in the public sector in South Africa, and consulted by Lusa, the British company is described as "involved in corrupt and fraudulent practices in the tender for the SARS contract.

The consultancy, which was hired by the South African government to initially reform the country's Revenue Authority, is also banned from bidding for public contracts in the UK, according to a UK government decision announced in August.

The investigation by South African judge Raymond Zondo concluded that Bain operated in "collusion" with Zuma, who held the presidency from 2009 to 2018.

According to the South African press, the British multinational has denied any involvement in public corruption in South Africa, saying that it has "returned" the fees charged for consulting services provided to SARS.