Gordhan hits back
• ‘LET ME DO MY JOB’ • MANUEL RALLIES BEHIND PRAVIN
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma flew out of the country this morning and will remain abroad for a fortnight as Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan slugs it out with the Hawks.
Gordhan yesterday said he would not comply with the summons by Hawks head General Berning Ntlemeza to present himself at their offices this morning.
The Hawks said he was to be questioned about allegations related to his role in the formation and activities of the so-called “rogue unit” set up when he was head of the SA Revenue Service.
“I have a job to do in a difficult economic environment and have to serve South Africa as best I can. Let me do my job,” he said.
Gordhan’s legal team, which includes prominent advocate Wim Trengove, will represent him at the meeting with the Hawks.
Former finance minister Trevor Manuel defended Gordhan‚ saying it is ridiculous that an “acting” head of the Hawks is persecuting him on baseless charges.
Speaking on eNCA‚ Manuel warned that if Gordhan were arrested, the consequences would be catastrophic – far worse than the damage done to the country and its economy by the firing of Nhlanhla Nene, Gordhan’s predecessor – in December.
“It will do much more damage. To go back to that is really to scream ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre. Such action will destroy this economy. The next move is up to the head of state to say: ‘If you have any evidence‚ let’s handle this in a responsible way’,” Manuel said.
Zuma will today travel to Nairobi, Kenya, for the sixth Summit of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. From there he is expected to travel to a meeting of the Southern African Development Community in Swaziland before going to China. Insiders said the Hawks would have told Zuma that Gordhan was to be ordered to report for questioning. Other government officials said Gordhan would be in Cape Town and his lawyers would handle the fight.
In a letter sent to Gordhan, Hawks investigator Major-General MS Ledwaba wrote that the investigation “is complete” and asked Gordhan to “give his version on the allegations” against him.
The letter shows that the Hawks are investigating charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, the Prevention of Corrupt Activities Act and the National Strategic Intelligence Act. Ledwaba said Gordhan had approved the early retirement of deputy SARS commissioner Ivan Pillay, resulting in SARS paying Pillay’s early retirement penalty of R1.2-million even though he had asked for early retirement and would normally be liable for payment of the penalty himself.
The Hawks said the “rogue” investigative unit was created in contravention of the National Strategic Intelligence Act.
In a statement, Gordhan said he believed the investigative unit was lawfully established. As the pressure on Gordhan mounted, the rand weakened by more than 50c against the dollar since late on Tuesday.
Economist Azar Jammine said Gordhan now saw himself as a crusader for the country. If he were fired, Jammine said, it would be devastating for the economy.
Gordhan, together with four other former SARS officials – Pillay, Johan van Loggerenberg, Pete Richer and Andries van Rensburg – were on Tuesday ordered by Ntlemeza to report to his office to answer a variety of questions.