BREAKING: Hawks seeks affidavit from Manuel over SARS unit

[Adrianax]

http://www.fin24.com/Economy/breaking-hawks-seeks-affidavit-from-manuel-over-sars-unit-20170830

Johannesburg - The Hawks told former finance minister Trevor Manuel and his one-time deputy, Jabu Moleketi, to provide affidavits on the creation of a special investigative unit in the South African Revenue Service (SARS) that allegedly spied on politicians.

The Hawks wants the affidavits by Friday so “we can finalise this investigation,” spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said by phone on Wednesday. The affidavits were ordered by a judge.

Before President Jacob Zuma fired him as finance minister in March, Pravin Gordhan said the the tax agency unit, set up a decade ago when he was head of the revenue authority, acted within its mandate.

The National Prosecuting Authority has been probing the unit in an investigation that Gordhan, opposition parties and civil-society groups say is politically motivated.

Questioning Manuel and Moleketi about the investigative unit raises the chances that the police may move to charge Gordhan, who has become a vocal critic of the president and is seen as part of a faction that is seeking his removal from office.

“It is true that the Hawks have requested the pleasure of my company,” Manuel said by phone Wednesday. “I don’t know what it is exactly they want to talk to me about as I am abroad.”

A call to Moleketi seeking comment went immediately to voicemail.

 

[Splinter]

http://www.fin24.com/Economy/breaking-hawks-seeks-affidavit-from-manuel-over-sars-unit-20170830

Wasn't this all covered with Gordhan?

 

[HavocXphere]

eh what's with their witch hunts against fin ministers?

 

[Adrianax]

Zuma and the Guptas are far from finish with Gordhan. As long as Gordhan continues speaking out against Zuma, they will proceed with their witch hunt. They will eventually arrest Gordhan, prosecute and then jail him from where he will no longer be a thorn in their side, even if this means fabricating evidence against him.

 

[reactor_sa]

eh what's with their witch hunts against fin ministers?

Think of it as a cash in transit heist, but with thugs in ANC "uniform" brandishing threats of being "disciplined"

 

[Thor]

Gupta's closing loose ends.

 

[LazyLion]

I Trevor Manuel, do hereby make this affidavit.

THERE WAS NO ROGUE SPY UNIT

Signed
Trevor Manuel

 

[TrueSeeker]

All because heaven forbid our supreme leaders and their buddies are investigated for tax related issues.

Less accountability every day.

 

[Former member 61586]

So wait. Does one not have the right to remain silent and not potentially incriminate yourself? WTF is this new thing of "forcing" people to give statements?

 

[nightjar]

Zuma and the Guptas are far from finish with Gordhan. As long as Gordhan continues speaking out against Zuma, they will proceed with their witch hunt. They will eventually arrest Gordhan, prosecute and then jail him from where he will no longer be a thorn in their side, even if this means fabricating evidence against him.

Much like Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema who spent four months in prison on false treason charges.

 

[rza]

The incompetence at the Hawks is amazing. This case should have went to the court and resolved by now. If they really authorized the surveillance of NPA then its criminal and it should be an easy case, but then you can't have intelligent people (Manuel Gordhan, Moleketi) being convicted by idiots (Hawks, NPA).