Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is fighting back against what he calls intimidation and harassment by the Hawks, after rumours of his imminent arrest circulated over the weekend.
|||Johannesburg - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is fighting back against what he calls intimidation and harassment by the Hawks.
Gordhan issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday night following weekend reports that the special investigative unit had opened a criminal case against him and his arrest was imminent.
“The recent media reports about my arrest… have been extremely distressing for my family and me. I cannot believe that I am being investigated and could possibly be charged for something I am completely innocent of,” the statement read.
The minister along with a group of senior ex-SA Revenue Service staffers is accused of running an illegal spy unit inside SARS. All have denied the allegations.
Gordhan said that 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 (media) past weekend. It is indeed true, that no one is above the law. But no one should be subjected to the manipulation of the law and agencies for ulterior motives,” he said.
“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.”
He said he had met with his lawyers to obtain their advice. They would approach the leadership of both the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority for further information and clarity.
Gordhan believes that the “malicious” rumours and accusations about “espionage” are being manufactured for other motives.
The minister has been locked in a staring contest with his boss, President Jacob Zuma, since his return to Treasury last December. He and Zuma do not see eye to eye on a proposed R1-trillion nuclear procurement deal as well as the management of national carrier SAA.
Earlier on Tuesday three former senior public servants, including Robert McBride, warned of the creeping use of state security apparatus such as the Hawks to undermine the country’s fight against corruption.
Labour Bureau
