(JUBA CITY) – The South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) has issued a strong warning against the continued use of unauthorised Financial Form 15 in government transactions, saying that outdated and forged documents are undermining national revenue collection.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Juba on Thursday, SSRA Commissioner General Simon Akuei Deng said some officials were still using obsolete or fake versions of Financial Form 15. He cautioned that any officer found using the invalid forms would face disciplinary action, including dismissal from service.
The commissioner explained that a new batch of Financial Form 15 has already been printed and distributed. The new forms are officially approved by the SSRA and equipped with enhanced security features designed to prevent forgery and revenue leakages.
“The old financial forms are no longer valid, and any transaction carried out using this obsolete form shall be considered null and void,” Akuei warned. “Use of the old forms constitutes forgery and fraudulent practice, punishable under the laws of South Sudan for public officers.”
He urged all government offices, revenue officers, and administrative units to stop using the outdated forms, stressing that only the newly authorised documents are legally recognised.
The SSRA further called on taxpayers and the business community to demand the new official forms when dealing with revenue offices. Akuei said this step would protect both taxpayers and the government from financial fraud, malpractice, and loss of revenue.
“Taxpayers, the business community, and all stakeholders are strongly advised to demand and use only the new financial forms in their dealings with revenue offices,” he emphasised. “The SSRA reiterates its commitment to ensuring all transactions are carried out in a lawful, transparent, and accountable manner.”
He also announced that the approved forms will soon be published publicly to help identify the valid documents and expose forged ones.
Major General Elia Costa Faustino, Director General for Civil Registry, Nationality, Passport and Immigration, also spoke at the event. He confirmed that some immigration staff had already been arrested for forging Financial Form 15 and other official documents, including visas, nationality papers, and passports.
“Regarding the issue of forgery of documents, especially Financial Form 15, we have arrested some of our personnel who are forging documents,” Gen. Costa revealed. “We are working very hard to make sure those involved are arrested and prosecuted. Once convicted, they also face internal administrative measures.”
The immigration chief also advised citizens to process their own documents rather than rely on intermediaries, noting that cases of forgery often occur when money is handed to unofficial brokers.
“We want to advise our people that if you want to process your documents, come by yourself. Do not allow anybody to process them on your behalf, because that is when forgery happens,” he said.
Officials explained that individuals who pay others to process documents risk having their money pocketed, with no record of the payment reaching the revenue authority.