Hawks mum on ‘unlawful’ Pravin threats
Cape Town. 240216. Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan says the government s moving to ease the regulatory burden for business. He says this includes setting up an entity called Invest South Africa, in partnership with the private sector, and efforts to cut the administrative costs of starting a business. Delivering his Budget speech in Parliament , Gordhan also announced that R475 million had been reprioritised to the Department of Small Business to help small and medium businesses. Picture Leon Lestrade. Story Craig Dodds. Cape Town. 240216. Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan says the government s moving to ease the regulatory burden for business. He says this includes setting up an entity called Invest South Africa, in partnership with the private sector, and efforts to cut the administrative costs of starting a business. Delivering his Budget speech in Parliament , Gordhan also announced that R475 million had been reprioritised to the Department of Small Business to help small and medium businesses. Picture Leon Lestrade. Story Craig Dodds.
Mogomotsi Magome
THE Hawks are refusing to publicly respond to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s response to their questions in which he insists they have no reason to investigate him, and that their decision to send him questions with deadlines and “threats of retaliation” was unlawful.
Gordhan has also defended the establishment of the so-called “rogue spy unit” that is at the centre of a bitter battle between Gordhan and Hawks boss General Berning Ntlemeza.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said they had indicated in their previous statement they would not comment further on the matter.
His response follows what has been a public spat that ensued when the Hawks sent Gordhan questions regarding the unit, which is alleged to have been used for political ends and engaged in unlawful spying.
The Hawks had asked Gordhan about his involvement in its establishment and alleged unlawful activities as he was the SA Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner at the time.
According to Gordhan, the unit only employed 26 people at Sars, which has 1 500 staff members, and as a result his knowledge of its day-to-day operations was limited.
“As far as I was aware, the unit lawfully performed its functions.
“I was not personally involved in the recruitment of its members, but I am told that the process was in accordance with Sars policy.
“If it or any of its members engaged in unlawful activities, then they did so without my knowledge or consent.
“I have no knowledge of the operation codenamed ‘Sunday Evenings’,” said Gordhan.
“Sunday Evenings” refers to an alleged operation in 2007 during which the “rogue spy unit” bugged the National Prosecuting Authority.
He said the Hawks had declined to answer his questions seeking clarity on what offence they were investigating and by what authority they were acting, but had instead referred him to the powers conferred on them by chapter 6A of the SAPS Act 68 of 1995.
“None of the provisions of chapter 6A entitle the Hawks to demand answers, set deadlines and threaten me with retaliation if I fail to respond,” Gordhan said.
“The deadlines and threats of retaliation were unlawful.
“The unit was part of the broader enforcement division Sars – similar to the enforcement capabilities required in any tax and customs administration in the world.
“The Hawks have no reason to investigate me,” said Gordhan.