‘Gordhan’s dots are invisible’
BITTER exchanges characterised the long-awaited cross-examination of Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan by Former South African Revenue Services (Sars) boss Tom Moyane’s legal counsel advocate Dali Mpofu yesterday.
At the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Mpofu attempted to poke holes in Gordhan’s testimony, saying the dots that the former finance minister had relied on to finger Moyane were in an “invisible ink and could only be connected by him”, and that he was making up evidence.
Moyane accused Gordhan of having been jealous of his achievement in being the first SARS commissioner to collect R1 trillion in tax revenue, with Mpofu saying he would testify before the Commission that the differences with Gordhan began during his tenure as Sars commissioner.
“Mr Moyane will testify that Gordhan was arrogant towards him. He would also testify that Mr Gordhan was a racist towards African people to deflect his own role in state capture and corruption. Mr Moyane will also testify that Gordhan was against him for blowing the whistle on the rogue unit and illegal corrupt activities at Sars, including the early retirement payout to Ivan Pillay (former Sars deputy commissioner).
“Mr Moyane will also testify that he was the first Sars commissioner to collect R1 trillion in tax but Mr Gordhan did not congratulate him,” Mpofu said.
In justifying allegations of racism, Mpofu said in the South African context, shouting at a person of the same age as him and telling Moyane to grow up and that he was being cheeky was proof that Gordhan was a racist.
Gordhan denied the allegations saying he was non-racist and that was the reason he joined the Congress Movement (ANC) and he subscribes to the Freedom Charter.
“It is actually Mr Moyane who disrespected me. He did not want to apply for leave from me. He told me that he reports to the president. He also paid bonuses to some of his staff members when he was ordered not to.
“The late auditor-general (Kimi Makwetu) lodged a complaint about the payment of the bonuses and Mr Moyane threatened to take him to court. Mr Moyane also refused to discuss measures to review the new operating model at Sars. He did not allow an inquiry into what was going on at Sars,” Gordhan said.
Mpofu also took Gordhan to task for relying on “gossip” when accusing Moyane of colluding with the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Gordhan said he could not recall how he had picked up the information but was willing to provide further information to the commission when he remembered.
In his early testimony, Gordhan admitted that Moyane did not lay criminal charges against him but maintained his version that Moyane’s tenure at the tax authority was only meant wholly or in part to pursue state capture.
Mpofu on several occasions said Gordhan was “rambling” and providing “long, unnecessary answers that were only prolonging the testimony”.
Both Mpofu and Gordhan spoke while the other was trying to make a point, forcing State Capture Commission of Inquiry chairperson Justice Raymond Zondo to intervene several times.
Gordhan told the commission that the tension between him and Moyane began after he was appointed as Finance Minister in 2015. He said he organised a meeting with Moyane with a view to getting information from him about the new operating model at Sars.
The model was introduced by Bain Consulting Agency, and Gordhan said the new model led to Sars failing to collect tax and custom duties. Gordhan said the model dismantled several units which were responsible for the collection of duties.
He also told the commission a number of people lost their jobs due to the introduction of the new model.