What is a Public Officer & why does a South African Company need a Public Officer?

Under the Tax Administration Act, 2011 (Act NO 28 of 2011) every company, branch or external company carrying on business in South Africa or having an office in South Africa,must at all times be represented by an individual that resides in South Africa.

The individual representative must be approved by the South African Revenue Services and must be a person who is a senior official of the company or if no senior official lives in South Africa it may be another suitable person.