Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan says recent reports about his arrest – “imminent or not” – have been extremely distressing for him and his family and that his lawyers will approach the Hawks and the National Prosecuting authority for further information and clarity.
He also once again dismissed claims of his involvement in “espionage” when he headed the country’s tax agency.
“I cannot believe that I am being investigated and could possibly be charged for something I am completely innocent of‚” Gordhan said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
He said he had answered the questions submitted by the Hawks‚ and had not heard from them.
“I was not aware of any impending charges or further investigations until the reports in the past weekend‚” he added.
The Sunday Times reported that the Hawks wanted Gordhan to be prosecuted for “espionage” in a case related to the activities of the South African Revenue Service “rogue unit” established while he was the tax agency’s commissioner.
It said that according to senior Hawks sources‚ the unit had handed over a case docket to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision to prosecute Gordhan and eight other former SARS officials said to have been involved in or have had knowledge of the unit’s activities.
The unit has been accused of illegally gathering intelligence and spying on taxpayers.
“The Sunday Times understands that some of Gordhan’s cabinet colleagues were informed of his imminent arrest this week.
“Insiders at the Hawks and the NPA told the Sunday Times that they were waiting for the “political go-ahead” before acting‚” the newspaper stated.
However‚ reports on Sunday quoted both the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks denying that they were investigating Gordhan.
The Presidency also dismissed report about Gordhan’s imminent arrest‚ describing them as the “work of dangerous information peddlers who wish to cause confusion and mayhem in the country”.
Gordhan said no one was above the law but that no one should be subjected to the manipulation of the law and agencies for ulterior motives.
“Throughout my 45 years of activism‚ I have worked for the advancement of the ANC‚ our Constitution and our democratic government. I would never have thought that individuals within the very agencies of this government would now conspire to intimidate and harass me and my family.
“I have met with my lawyers to obtain their advice. They will be approaching the leadership of both the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority for further information and clarity‚” Gordhan added.
He said he had worked together with over ten thousand staff for a decade to transform SARS into a world class revenue and customs administration. We built the revenue service into an efficient and effective institution that provided the increasing fiscal resources to enable government to provide social grants. SARS and the specialist investigative units therein operated within the law during my time as the Commissioner.
“The malicious rumours and accusations about ‘espionage’ activities are false and manufactured for other motives‚” Gordhan added.
He said there had also been reports of business people claiming inside knowledge of or influence over state institutions. If such reports were true‚ that alleged conduct would undermine the integrity and honesty within the Treasury or other key institutions.
“It is particularly painful to me‚ and I’m sure to many earnest democrats‚ to witness this unrestrained attack on honest and hardworking people and the institutions meant to strengthen our democracy. Millions of people will pay the price (there will be less money to relieve poverty and support job creation programmes) if this subversion of democracy is left unrestrained and unchallenged.
“I appeal to all South Africans to protect the National Treasury staff‚ who have diligently‚ honestly and skilfully served the national interest to the best of their ability. They are recognised worldwide for their professionalism and competence‚” Gordhan said.
Gordhan says reports about his arrest ‘distressing
He also once again dismissed claims of his involvement in “espionage” when he headed the country’s tax agency.
“I cannot believe that I am being investigated and could possibly be charged for something I am completely innocent of‚” Gordhan said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
He said he had answered the questions submitted by the Hawks‚ and had not heard from them.
“I was not aware of any impending charges or further investigations until the reports in the past weekend‚” he added.
The Sunday Times reported that the Hawks wanted Gordhan to be prosecuted for “espionage” in a case related to the activities of the South African Revenue Service “rogue unit” established while he was the tax agency’s commissioner.
It said that according to senior Hawks sources‚ the unit had handed over a case docket to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision to prosecute Gordhan and eight other former SARS officials said to have been involved in or have had knowledge of the unit’s activities.
The unit has been accused of illegally gathering intelligence and spying on taxpayers.
“The Sunday Times understands that some of Gordhan’s cabinet colleagues were informed of his imminent arrest this week.
“Insiders at the Hawks and the NPA told the Sunday Times that they were waiting for the “political go-ahead” before acting‚” the newspaper stated.
However‚ reports on Sunday quoted both the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks denying that they were investigating Gordhan.
The Presidency also dismissed report about Gordhan’s imminent arrest‚ describing them as the “work of dangerous information peddlers who wish to cause confusion and mayhem in the country”.
Gordhan said no one was above the law but that no one should be subjected to the manipulation of the law and agencies for ulterior motives.
“Throughout my 45 years of activism‚ I have worked for the advancement of the ANC‚ our Constitution and our democratic government. I would never have thought that individuals within the very agencies of this government would now conspire to intimidate and harass me and my family.
“I have met with my lawyers to obtain their advice. They will be approaching the leadership of both the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority for further information and clarity‚” Gordhan added.
He said he had worked together with over ten thousand staff for a decade to transform SARS into a world class revenue and customs administration. We built the revenue service into an efficient and effective institution that provided the increasing fiscal resources to enable government to provide social grants. SARS and the specialist investigative units therein operated within the law during my time as the Commissioner.
“The malicious rumours and accusations about ‘espionage’ activities are false and manufactured for other motives‚” Gordhan added.
He said there had also been reports of business people claiming inside knowledge of or influence over state institutions. If such reports were true‚ that alleged conduct would undermine the integrity and honesty within the Treasury or other key institutions.
“It is particularly painful to me‚ and I’m sure to many earnest democrats‚ to witness this unrestrained attack on honest and hardworking people and the institutions meant to strengthen our democracy. Millions of people will pay the price (there will be less money to relieve poverty and support job creation programmes) if this subversion of democracy is left unrestrained and unchallenged.
“I appeal to all South Africans to protect the National Treasury staff‚ who have diligently‚ honestly and skilfully served the national interest to the best of their ability. They are recognised worldwide for their professionalism and competence‚” Gordhan said.
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