Gordhan remains tight-lipped on Hawks let off

WRITER FINANCE Minister Pravin Gordhan remained tight-lipped yesterday on reports that the Hawks will not go after him.

His spokesperson Phumza Macanda could not be reached for comment after the Hawks backed off following months of pursuit of charges against the minister.

The Sunday Independent reported that Hawks head Lt-Gen. Berning Ntlemeza wrote to Gordhan’s lawyers in the week that the minister will not be arrested.

This followed an intense week in which Gordhan said he was distressed by the reports that the unit will lock him up.

He called on South Africans to protect the National Treasury.

The reprieve by the Hawks came at a time the minister received backing from business.

Business said it was worried about the latest developments that Gordhan would be arrested after putting so much work with business to get the country on its feet.

It also warned that State institutions including the Constitutional Court, Public Protector, the National Prosecuting Authority and security apparatus must not be used, but remain independent and impartial.

Gordhan has been working with about 90 CEOs of top companies in the country to revive growth.

Business said a lot of work has gone into reviving growth and preventing a credit downgrade.

This is the initiative set up a few months ago by President Jacob Zuma to get business to invest in the local economy and boost growth.

Zuma assigned Gordhan with business to craft a plan to get the economy back on track.

The group met with Zuma two weeks go in Pretoria to report back on progress made.

“We must now all put the national interest at the top of our agenda,” said business.

“In this regard we are doing all in our power to protect South Africa’s investment grade credit rating,” it said.

“We are singularly focused on this objective and call on all South Africans to support this goal and ensure that their actions support it,” it added.

South Africa will know next Friday if it has been downgraded or not by rating agencies Fitch and Standard & Poor’s.

The two rating agencies were in the country last week, when the war of attrition between Gordhan and the Hawks, was at its peak.

Economists warned that the fight and threats of arrest would scare off investors and paint a bad picture about South Africa to rating agencies.

Gordhan last week in Parliament called on South Africans to stand together to stave off a credit rating downgrade.

He said the economy needed the support of all the partners.

The economy was in the doldrums with low growth projected this year.

The SACP has been at the forefront of alliance partners calling on the Hawks to stop harassing Gordhan.

The minister has also received support from the ANC in Parliament in his job.