Hawks say no decision has been made on charging Gordhan

THE Hawks have denied local media reports that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan could soon be charged for corruption.

City Press yesterday said the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) was on the verge of charging the minister in a case dating back to the time he headed the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

“There is no decision whatsoever to prosecute anyone‚” NPA spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said. Mfaku said the prosecution had on Friday been handed a docket by the police.

The case is linked to a covert investigative unit set up within the tax agency to allegedly spy on politicians‚ including President Jacob Zuma. The unit was formed between 1999 and 2009‚ when Gordhan was commissioner of SARS.

“We have not identified any individuals‚ we have to look at the docket and review the strength of the evidence‚” Mfaku said.

Last week, the Hawks summoned Gordhan and other former SARS officials to present themselves for questioning over the unit.

But Gordhan‚ a widely respected technocrat‚ refused to go‚ saying he had been legally advised he was “under no obligation” to present himself to the police.

Zuma on Thursday said he had no power to stop any investigations‚ but expressed his “full support and confidence” in Gordhan‚ stressing that the finance minister “has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing”.

There are concerns that charging Gordhan could wreak havoc in the financial markets and shatter investor confidence‚ which could see the nation’s credit ratings downgraded to junk status.

The rand tumbled last week on news that the minister was being investigated. — AFP