This is how minister responded to Hawks:

My legal advice is that I am not obliged, under any law, to answer the questions sent to me by the Hawks but I believe it is in the public interest that I provide them with information I have at hand. Be that as it may, as a law abiding citizen I have decided to cooperate fully.

My legal advice is that the establishment unit was lawful. I am advised that the Sikhakhane Panel finding that the establishment of the unit contravened the National Strategic Intelligence Act was wrong and based on a superficial and clearly mistaken reading of the aforementioned Act.

The unit was an essential part of Sars’ enforcement strategy as it is with most tax and customs administrations globally.

As far as I was aware, the unit lawfully performed its functions.

As far as I was aware, the funding of the unit was done through normal budgetary processes applicable to Sars.