News of a pending arrest of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was always bound to rattle the markets. And indeed, by before the market even opened yesterday, the rand had sunk to its lowest level in two months, with fears that it could breach the R16 mark against the US dollar.
This followed weekend reports alleging a plot by the Hawks to arrest Gordhan on charges of “espionage” – something the Presidency moved quickly to deny.
“It is clear ... that the story is the work of dangerous information peddlers who wish to cause confusion and mayhem in the country,” said a Presidency statement.
But this reassurance is very hard to believe. Giving credence to the reports was the subsequent confirmation by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) that it had received a docket from the Hawks and had returned it to the investigators with “guidance” regarding the Revenue Service’s so-called “rogue unit”.
Judging by the NPA’s reaction, the Hawks case as it stands is not strong enough or at best, is not ready to be prosecuted.
If the case was water-tight why would the NPA be offering “guidance” to the country’s elite investigating unit?
The fact is, the Hawks have had Gordhan in their sights for some time. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to know that three months ago they had sent Gordhan 27 questions about the same unit.
By now we also all know that President Jacob Zuma did not want Gordhan as his finance minister, but his hand was forced by big business after the rand crashed following his disastrous firing of Nhlanhla Nene in December.
Inadvertently that crisis has made Gordhan untouchable – which is a good thing, our political situation considered.
So, if Zuma was to remove Gordhan a strong criminal case would have to be built against the minister. One could argue that Zuma could, if he wanted to, put a stop to the Hawks investigation. But on the other hand the idea of a minister being seen to be above the law makes the situation a bit trickier.
What is clear is that while there may be questions about the legality of the work of the so-called “rogue unit”, the manner in which law enforcement agencies are now behaving is worrying.
Like anyone else Gordhan must be subject to the laws of the country. But the timing of the investigation seems odd. And why the urgency by the Hawks to try this case? Also, why the to and fro of a docket between the Hawks and NPA?
This all lends credibility to the reports of a sinister plot to have Gordhan removed from Finance so that Zuma can install a lackey to this crucial position.
If anyone is looking for a cause of the “confusion and mayhem”, they should look to the NPA and the Hawks.
Gordhan case confusion a cause for concern
This followed weekend reports alleging a plot by the Hawks to arrest Gordhan on charges of “espionage” – something the Presidency moved quickly to deny.
“It is clear ... that the story is the work of dangerous information peddlers who wish to cause confusion and mayhem in the country,” said a Presidency statement.
But this reassurance is very hard to believe. Giving credence to the reports was the subsequent confirmation by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) that it had received a docket from the Hawks and had returned it to the investigators with “guidance” regarding the Revenue Service’s so-called “rogue unit”.
Judging by the NPA’s reaction, the Hawks case as it stands is not strong enough or at best, is not ready to be prosecuted.
If the case was water-tight why would the NPA be offering “guidance” to the country’s elite investigating unit?
The fact is, the Hawks have had Gordhan in their sights for some time. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to know that three months ago they had sent Gordhan 27 questions about the same unit.
By now we also all know that President Jacob Zuma did not want Gordhan as his finance minister, but his hand was forced by big business after the rand crashed following his disastrous firing of Nhlanhla Nene in December.
Inadvertently that crisis has made Gordhan untouchable – which is a good thing, our political situation considered.
So, if Zuma was to remove Gordhan a strong criminal case would have to be built against the minister. One could argue that Zuma could, if he wanted to, put a stop to the Hawks investigation. But on the other hand the idea of a minister being seen to be above the law makes the situation a bit trickier.
What is clear is that while there may be questions about the legality of the work of the so-called “rogue unit”, the manner in which law enforcement agencies are now behaving is worrying.
Like anyone else Gordhan must be subject to the laws of the country. But the timing of the investigation seems odd. And why the urgency by the Hawks to try this case? Also, why the to and fro of a docket between the Hawks and NPA?
This all lends credibility to the reports of a sinister plot to have Gordhan removed from Finance so that Zuma can install a lackey to this crucial position.
If anyone is looking for a cause of the “confusion and mayhem”, they should look to the NPA and the Hawks.
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