NGO opens case against Gordhan over Sars ‘rogue unit’ probe
CHAIRPERSON of the Durban-based Ubumbano Lokuthula Organisation, Dr Andile Hlatshwayo, opened a case against Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan in connection with the SA Revenue Service’s (Sars) “rogue” unit back in 2019, and he says it seems no headway is being made thus far.
Five years on, there has been nothing forthcoming regarding the case, and no updates have been given to the NGO since the investigating officer working on the case was replaced.
In July 2019, the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, ruled in favour of suspending Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s recommended remedial action against Gordhan pending a judicial review of her Sars “rogue” unit report.
Hlatshwayo said he smells a conspiracy and wants South Africans to know who they are dealing with when it comes to Gordhan. He said it was startling that Gordhan was involved in matters of intelligence, which he does not have the power to be part of.
Hlatshwayo said these actions are akin to doing the president’s job.
“It means that there is no president if he (Gordhan) can approve such a thing. In saying that the issue is that we have a security system in our country, which is the SAPS, that is in its own interest in its own oath of office by individuals (working for SAPS) to do the right thing and provide justice to people,” he said.
He said the information was in the public domain and asked why there had been no action taken against Gordhan.
Hlatshwayo said he was surprised at how the government has conducted itself when it comes to Gordhan, as his track record is nothing to write home about.
“Everywhere that Pravin has been mandated, it was never in the interest of ensuring there is transformation, there is proper service delivery, and also driving his ministerial position accordingly. On the basis of the ANC, I don’t know his operation within the policies of the ANC, but it really shows that Pravin is not an ANC member; he is just one of the infiltrators who has been positioned to drive the purpose of the cartels, which I can boldly say is to suppress the people of our country and not see the dawn of freedom and democracy.”
Hlatshwayo said the lack of media attention on the unit since it was first revealed indicates that there must be much reported about cartels in control of South Africa.
“So when I say the cartels, I mean those in control of certain media houses, who are then instructed and told what not to report,” he said.
He pleaded with South Africans to hear his call and ask the government to do something about Gordhan.
When The Star approached the SAPS in Gauteng with the case number and asked about progress on the case, the publication was directed to the Hawks.
The Hawks said they were not investigating the case and it was being handled by the Provincial Organised Crime (SAPS).
After sending questions to the Department of Public Enterprises directed at the minister, spokesperson Ellis Mnyandu said: “Your inquiry below refers to: There is no comment.”