Judge calls SA to rally behind Gordhan
DRAGGING HIM IN ‘OUTRAGEOUS’
CONSTITUTIONAL Court Judg Johan Kriegler, chairman for Freedom Under Law, urged all South Africans yesterday to get behind Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan and his former colleagues at Sars.
Judge Kriegler said not only were the charges against the men baseless, but they were instituted in a manner calculated to tarnish their names and seriously impair South Africa’s economy.
“We know the whole story of the so-called rogue unit and its dubious origin was apologetically withdrawn by The Sunday Times newspaper, which was the chosen channel for its distribution months ago.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 Gordhan is all the more outrageous,” he said.
The retired Constitutional Court judge questioned the timing and manner in which Gordhan was being pursued as aiming ill-will 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, now chasing trumped-up charges against people like Pillay, Loggerenberg and Gordhan. They are not doing their job and we intend showing that,” said Judge Kriegler.
Former Sars officials Ivan Pillay and Johann van Loggerenberg were tight-lipped after spending four hours giving statements to Hawks investigators in Pretoria yesterday.
The two were summoned to appear before the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation to give information about the alleged creation of a socalled rogue unit of Sars when Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was its commissioner.
Gordhan had also been called to appear but refused, saying his legal representatives had advised him against it and he had already answered the questions asked by the Hawks.
Advocate George Bizos joined civil rights organisations Section27 and Corruption Watch in demonstrating their support for the former Sars officials.
He said the vilification of innocent people was concerning as it seemed the events of the past were being repeated. The use of criminal prosecutions against targeted individuals was a major cause for concern.
“People are being unjustly involved in criminal prosecutions which we know are not valid,” said Bizos.
“We stand by the minister of finance (Gordhan). We hope that the people of South Africa will also stand by him and this prosecution will be nipped in the bud.”
Capture
Helen Suzman Foundation director Francis Antonie said apart from the unjust prosecution of Gordhan and his former colleagues, there was the looming capture of state institutions.
“The capture of these institutions will only serve to undermine them. Sars and the Treasury, some of our superb institutions, are being hollowed out of personnel and held to ransom.
“I think all South Africans must be troubled by this,” he said.
Van Loggerenberg asked that all questions be directed to the Hawks.
“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, 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.”
SO PRESIDENT Zuma, his ally the current Sars commissioner and the Hawks are at it again! Ganging up against the Minister of Finance, desperately trying to get rid of him in these economically unstable and challenging times.
One has to marvel at the levels of distrust this episode continues to bring. The rand over the past of couple of weeks has appreciated and the windfall is the lowering of the fuel price, which is a welcome relief for our hard-pressed consumers.
However, when news broke about the finance minister’s investigations by the Hawks, the rand took a dive!
One would have thought that with the election losses, the governing party would be a little wiser and more circumspect in their handling of state matters.
If Pravin Gordhan has to be charged, so be it, but why the prolonged and insidious attack on the man’s integrity?
The Hawks keep playing 20 questions!
The Hawk’s enthusiasm to go after Pravin Gordhan is perplexing at this time in our country’s economic woes.
In the wake of all the scandals over the past couple of months, including the big elephant in the room – the Guptas’ capture of state resources and functionaries – we have not had a peep on this matter being investigated by our crime-busting heroes, the Hawks.
It’s been left to the public protector to investigate the Guptas’ state capture.
The fact that the Treasury gave the public protector money to investigate the Guptas might be one of the reasons for this sudden interest in Gordhan.
Not forgetting SAA, Denel, Eskom, the SABC and the many other state-owned enterprises steeped in financial scandals.
Pravin has dug in his heels about financing these scandalous, tax-bleeding operations, which are nothing but giving sheltered employment to ANC cadres and the president’s sycophants. PAKS PAKIRIY
Durban North
Keep calm, let the law take its course
FOR the record, Something needs to be said about the Hawks v Pravin Gordhan.
Let’s stay calm and support our constitutional democracy through transparency, and not make the mud any thicker so it becomes a sludge, impugning the honour and integrity of minister Gordhan and our democracy.
I note with concern the tendency in South Africa to scream “conspiracy” while blindly defending those we respect, love, or wish to protect because they belong to the same organisation than we do or share our political convictions.
At the same time, I agree with Prof Pierre de Vos, who recently wrote in Constitutionally Speaking that “Until the Hawks show a willingness and/or ability to identify the crime which was allegedly committed and can produce credible evidence that links Gordhan or others to the commissioning of a crime, ordinary citizens will be justified in assuming that this case has nothing to do with the law taking its course, and everything to do with the abuse of legal processes for the political and economic benefit of very powerful and utterly immoral people”.
For the record, stay calm. Let the law take its course, however long it takes. SABER AHMED JAZBHAY Durban
Why preserve scum like this?
I READ of the hijacking in Cape Town where students were attacked by six gunmen – driven to a secluded beach where the female was raped and the male companion was shot and dumped in the sea – their car taken and later abandoned. I cannot see why the death penalty cannot be imposed on this scum. Why preserve people like this?
Our liberal human rightspunting friends will say: “What about their right to life?”
And that would imply that the victim had none!
They will be caught, released on bail, and be back to their old ways.
Okay, so no death penalty. How about hard labour, chain gangs for life?
No, of course not – they must have access to TV, libraries and all the mod cons. Pathetic! ROLAND FISHER
Durban
Lets sink ships and raise employment
THE article “From A Ship To A Can” (The Mercury, August 16) refers. It was reported that a disused Royal Navy aircraft carrier had been sold for “one penny” and was to be cut up for scrap metal.
It seems that our Durban city fathers are missing a golden opportunity. Surely we should buy three or four of these disused ships, preferably with a navy or military connection, and sink them reasonably close to our coastline – even better to have a few tanks or armoured cars welded to the decks.
TV shows have shown that sunken wrecks rapidly become artificial reefs providing breeding grounds for sea creatures.
These naval wrecks will attract recreational divers and stimulate employment in different fields: dive training schools, small boat and motor sales and servicing, selling dive equipment, guest lodges and B&Bs, television production crews and increased large fish numbers. They will create much-needed jobs.
Yes, it would cost money to tow the ships to Durban, but it should be possible to raise sponsorship from Greenpeace, National Geographic or a UN agency. Perhaps our new city manager could adopt this initiative and motivate it through the council? DAVE CANNON Berea.
Sugar tax is the answer to diabetes
RECENT scientific studies have clearly connected excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.
The resulting personal health burden is tragic – heart attack, stroke, dialysis, blindness, amputation.
The evidence is proven that a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages decreases consumption – shown in Finland, Hungary, France and Mexico. ANNE CHACHLIN Morningside
Why the 100% water and electricity hike?
THIS letter is to express my disgust regarding the extreme increase the eThekweni Municipality has forced on most users of electricity and water. In December 2015 my total bill was R1 355. In July 2016 the bill is R2 600.
This is an increase of nearly 100%. What justifies it? Do consumers just have to cough up and neglect their other commitments, or not pay and be left without lights and water? When I call to ask, I am left holding for 15 minutes. C SHORT
Durban