Pravin Gordhan to be charged again – Report
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will be charged for establishing a “rogue unit” in Sars in 2007, according to a report by the City Press. Gordhan was the commissioner of Sars at the time.
This comes after the National Prosecuting Authority recently dropped charges of fraud against Gordhan.
The report stated that the Hawks and the NPA are determined to launch a strong case against Gordhan and his co-accused.
“Gordhan and his former Sars deputy, Ivan Pillay, will be charged before Christmas,” stated the report.
“The charges laid against them will include fraud, defeating the ends of justice, and contravention of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act.”
The City Press said the NPA has allocated four prosecutors – all from the Priority Crimes Litigation Unit, which Abrahams used to head – to lead the investigation team.
Deputy Finance Minister is next
According to a report by the Sunday Times, Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, and party treasurer Zweli Mkhize are also being investigated by the Hawks, following the release of the State Capture report.
The report stated that the three are being probed for “failing to report Jonas’s sensational claim that one of the Gupta brothers, Ajay, offered him a R600-million bribe”.
Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed the investigation, which falls under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.
The report stated that the move is seen as a “fightback strategy” by President Jacob Zuma’s supporters.
Political analysts have stated that their is growing discontent among ANC members over Zuma as head of the party and as president of the country.
Update
The Hawks have rubbished claims that they are conducting an investigation into Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, and ANC treasurer Zweli Mkhize.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi dismissed as a “distortion” a Sunday Times report that the trio were being investigated.
“As far as I know [the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act] compels anyone who may have gone through any form of corruption to report it. That report will then be given to the NPA and forwarded to us for further investigation.
“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation does not open cases; cases are referred to us for further investigation.”
He criticised what he called a distortion of facts, insisting that the three ANC members were not being investigated.
The full reports are in the City Press and Sunday Times of 6 November 2016.
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