Ex-Sars officials mum on Hawks probe

ered intelligence – a contravention to the National Strategic Intelligence Act. Gordhan opted not to attend the hearing.

Van Loggerenberg spoke briefly outside the Hawks offices in the city centre, but avoided questions from the media. He instead requested that all questions be directed to the Hawks and its legal representatives.

“We are just going to let due processes take its course. If people look back in time, they will be able to see the truth for themselves,” he said.

Pillay’s wife Evelyn Groenink meanwhile said what was occurring was a betrayal of the ideals of the ANC, which formerly stood for good governance.

“The ANC was a party that advocated for a democratic country where citizens had rights with no racialism or sexism and where the doors of wealth, learning, land and culture were open to all.

“This is security police prosecution because we are sure there are no merits to this case whatsoever,” said Groenink.

Constitutional Court Judge and chairman for Freedom Under Law, Johan Kriegler, called on all South Africans to rally behind Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan and his former colleagues at Sars.

Kriegler said not only were the charges against the men baseless, but they were done in such a manner that showed it was calculated to tarnish their names and seriously impair South Africa’s economy.

“We know that the whole story of the so-called rogue unit and its dubious origin was apologetically withdrawn by the Sunday Times newspaper, which was the chosen channel for its distribution months ago.

“Most disturbing of all is that none of those now being publicly humiliated was ever given a proper opportunity to answer to the charges in the course of these one-sided investigations of unsubstantiated allegations. But dragging in Gord- han is all the more outrageous,” said Kriegler.

The retired Constitutional Court judge questioned the timing and manner in which Gordhan was being pursued as only aiming illwill towards a loyal public servant who had created the most efficient government agency of the new South Africa.

“We are dealing with the Hawks, the sharpest knife in the law enforcement drawer, that is now chasing trumped up charges against people like Pillay, Loggerenberg and Gordhan.

“They are not doing their job and we intend on showing that,” said Kriegler.