Q&A
We do, we’re fully behind it. But we see [SARS commissioner Tom] Moyane facing two separate trials, yet the issues are the same. It’s not good for the image of justice when people think a person is subject to double jeopardy.
Inquiry chair Judge Nugent has examined this argument and says it is nonsense.
He’s a judge, he’s legalistic and technical. We’re appealing to the political leadership not to turn potential monsters into heroes who are seen by the people as being victimised. We’re repeating the same mistake we did with Zuma. Yes, because we saw him being victimised. Only when we got exposed to the real issues we knew there was no victim here, there was just a thug.
How do you reconcile your image as an anticorruption campaigner with attempts to delay the SARS inquiry?
I’m not delaying anything. You are going to speed up this thing in a reckless manner that is going to cost the taxpayer. You are going to be taken on review. Look at [deputy NPA boss Nomgcobo] Jiba today. If you’re going after a corrupt individual you have to follow every step of the law in order to avoid a comeback. Once you deal with Moyane in a fair manner, he takes us on review, he loses, he pays the costs. If we’re going to be clumsy, seeking to impress the media, we’re going to be made to pay.
You’re not afraid of what the inquiry might uncover?
Everyone knows my story, I walk naked.
You mean using the proceeds of crime to settle your tax bill?
I never used the proceeds of crime, and you are being disrespectful in your tone. Go and check my submission to SARS. I said this guy [Kyle Phillips] came and said he’ll lend me R1-million. I didn’t know that. Is he a convicted criminal?
His company was involved in fraud, tobacco smuggling, money laundering . . .
If we’re going to describe someone as a criminal even before a court of law has arrived at such a determination, then what is the use of having the courts?
What about money you received from his business partner, selfconfessed criminal Adriano Mazzotti, to register the EFF?
Yes, that was in 2014.
An anticorruption party started with the proceeds of crime?
They’re not the proceeds of crime until a court of law says so. Not you. And nobody brought this to our attention when we were registering our party. When we were fighting Zuma they never cared to remind us that Zuma is being fought by a party that was formed by the proceeds of crime. You’re hypocritical. We thank Mazzotti for having given us money, otherwise Zuma would still have been president of this country. No one would have given the EFF money to register because they would have been victimised by the Zuma government. Mazzotti was brave enough to say: ‘Here’s the money.’
So you think it’s OK to accept the proceeds of crime?
As long as they’re not declared proceeds of crime by a court of law, we will accept them.