Pauw’s guest house raided
THE Hawks swooped on investigative journalist Jacques Pauw’s Riebeek-Kasteel guest house yesterday in search of “confidential information and secret documentation” used in his best-selling book, The President’s Keepers.
Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said the matter was referred to the corruption and organised crime-fighting unit by the police after complaints by the State Security Agency (SSA). He said the Hawks had to satisfy themselves Pauw did not have the confidential information and secret documentation used in his book.
According to Mulaudzi, the search and seizure operation was legitimate and had been authorised by a magistrate in the Western Cape.
“It’s very difficult to obtain a warrant for a search and seizure operation,” he said, but added they were not there to arrest Pauw, who was “surprised they’ve only arrived now”.
Mulaudzi said the search was requested by SSA director-general Arthur Fraser, who Pauw implicated in his book. Pauw said a colonel and two captains arrived yesterday to search for “confidential information” in his possession.
He contacted his lawyer in Johannesburg, adding: “It will be a long search, it’s a big place.” Since his book was published last year, Pauw has been investigated by the police.
In December, the SA Revenue Service filed papers in the Western Cape High Court accusing him of transgressing the Tax Administrations Act by disclosing confidential information.