SACP stands behind Gordhan

THE POSSIBLE charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan are politically motivated, the ANC’s tripartite alliance partner, the SACP, believes.

“They are designed as a pretext to remove Comrade Gordhan from office and weaken Treasury’s struggle against corruption and corporate capture,” SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande said at a media briefing in Joburg yesterday following the party’s central committee meeting at the weekend.

This comes as the Hawks seem to have moved a step closer to arresting Gordhan after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed it had received the docket relating to the Sars “rogue” unit.

Gordhan did not show up at the Hawks’ offices on Thursday for a warning statement.

NPA spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku confirmed yesterday that Gordhan and two former senior officials at Sars faced charges, but did not indicate when Gordhan would be formally charged.

“We confirm receipt of the docket relating to the Sars rogue unit matter on Friday,” said Mfaku.

“Prosecutors are going to analyse and evaluate the evidence contained in the docket. If there is no outstanding investigation, a decision on whether or not to prosecute any person will be made,” he said.

“No decision has been taken to prosecute any person in relation to the matter.”

The NPA’s confirmation came after Gordhan told Treasury staff on Friday that the Gupta family were behind his troubles with the Hawks. He was fighting a battle to “save the country’s purse from the thieves”.

But the Guptas denied any involvement.

At the weekend, the Guptas announced they were selling their business interests in South Africa.

Treasury spokeswoman Phumza Macanda could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Gordhan has received backing from Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said the minister was a man with unquestionable integrity.

The SACP yesterday also came out in defence of Gordhan.This followed the attack on Gordhan by his cabinet colleague Des van Rooyen, who called on him to subject himself to the law.

Van Rooyen, who briefly succeeded Nhlanhla Nene at the Treasury in December, said Gordhan was not above the law. He said even President Jacob Zuma had subjected himself to the same process when pursued by law enforcement agencies a few years ago.

Charges a pretext to remove Comrade Gordhan