Gordhan’s arrest will knock SA

PRAVIN Gordhan’s arrest would “shatter investor confidence‚ risk a sovereign ratings downgrade and be a disaster for the already fragile zero-growth‚ zero-jobs economy in South Africa”, the DA says.

The DA’s David Maynier said the finance minister being “requested to appear before the Hawks suggests he may be informed about possible charges and may face arrest in connection with allegations relating to the South African Revenue Service [SARS] ‘rogue unit’” and this was a “major escalation in the SARS wars”.

Market reaction was swift‚ with the rand falling sharply against the dollar on Tuesday‚ losing 3% to R14/$‚ following a report that Gordhan and four former SARS officials have been summoned to report to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation‚ the Hawks‚ today at 10am.

Maynier said the “only option to get to the bottom of the allegations relating to the SARS ‘rogue unit’ is the appointment of a judicial commission of inquiry”.

The story emerged when the Daily Maverick reported that Gordhan‚ former deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay‚ group executive Johann van Loggerenberg and initial head of the investigative unit Andries van Rensburg had been ordered to report to the Hawks in Pretoria.

When contacted by Business Day‚ Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said “no comment”.

Daily Maverick had quoted him as saying he did not have a “mandate to discuss any case or any confidential information attached to any case that is still under investigation.

“Any matters related to this enquiry is mere speculation and we will also not comment on it”.

The four were reportedly sent letters informing them of the charges they would face.

This related to the alleged “rogue unit” established at the revenue service when Gordhan was commissioner. — TMG Digital