Allegations are baseless, say two former Sars men
“Baseless”. That is how the two former Sars employees, Ivan Pillay and Johann van Loggerenberg, yesterday described the allegations by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – also known as the Hawks – after a meeting lasting more than four hours.
Both men and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan were asked to present themselves at the Hawks so warning statements could be obtained from them.
Gordhan, however, refused to meet the Hawks, having consulted legal counsel and being advised he was under “no obligation” to present himself.
Pillay and Van Loggerenberg’s legal representative, Robert Levin, said: “Our clients consider the allegation baseless and will follow due processes in accordance with their rights. Our clients wish to thank civil society and civil organisations for their support.”
Neither Pillay, nor Van Loggerenberg said a word about what transpired in the meeting.
In a show of civil society support, the men were accompanied by advocate George Bizos, former Constitutional Court judge Johann Kriegler, director of the Helen Suzman Foundation Francis Antonie, and various members of civil society and civil organisations.
Kriegler said they would support the men being quizzed by the Hawks legally and that they would be “conferring on the way forward”.
Bizos said: “We are concerned about the justice system in South Africa. Judge Kriegler and I and the Helen Suzman Foundation have fought apartheid for many years. We are concerned the events of the past are being repeated.”