Despite Gordhan’s office confirming the communication, Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi said he knew nothing about the written correspondence.
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The former Sars senior officials entered the Hawks offices before 09:00 and only emerged after 13:00. “It’s something that should concern us”.
“We’re concerned about the future of justice and law in South Africa”.
“We must all do what we can to protect our National Treasury against those who want to plunder South Africa and steal from the poor”, Hendrik du Toit, chief executive officer of Cape Town-based Investec Asset Management Ltd., which has about $109 billion under management, said in a Twitter posting.
The main opposition party Democratic Alliance, which strengthened its credentials by taking control of key cities in the August 3 local government elections, has called for a parliamentary debate on what it called a “Zuma-mandated witch-hunt against sitting Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan”. Not just for the people who came, but also the people who continuously send us messages. Right2Know, AfriForum and Corruption Watch members were also present.
This is according to investment research firm, Nomura, speaking on the latest developments in the so-called “Sars Wars”, which have seen Gordhan meet the Hawks head on over alleged corruption charges.
Local media reports in May said Gordhan may face arrest on espionage charges for setting up the unit to spy on politicians including President Jacob Zuma.
I have since taken legal counsel and my response through my attorneys to the letter by the HAWKS together with my statement are attached.
The stand-off has seen the rand weaken significantly and raised fears of a backlash from worldwide rating agencies.
Zuma would be taking a risk, of course, but the research group said that there is enough of a view within the ANC that credit ratings don’t matter, and that the party should not be “slaves” market push-back. Meanwhile support for the embattled Gordhan is growing with EFF CIC Julius Malema saying no “sober” court would find him guilty.
National Treasury spokeswoman Phumza Macanda confirmed to AFP in an email that Gordhan had been summoned in “correspondence from the Hawks yesterday”.
Calland says the war between the President and Finance Minister shows contestation of power which hurts the country, disturbs investors and is very damaging to the economy. I remain committed to assist the HAWKS in any bonafide investigation as stated in my statement.
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He said: “I have a job to do in a hard economic environment and serve South Africa as best I can. Let me do my job”, said Gordhan.
