Media release from Freedom Under Law and the Helen Suzman Foundation

2 September 2016

In the face of growing speculation that the Minister of Finance faces imminent arrest, attorneys acting for Freedom Under Law (FUL) and the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) this morning delivered a letter to the Hawks and the National Prosecution Authority (NPA). The letter calls for undertakings, no later than noon on Monday, that the Minister will not be arrested in relation to any of the alleged charges and, if such charges are to be brought, we be given at least 20 days’ notice to apply to court for an interdict. Failing such undertakings, FUL and HSF will exercise their rights in law.

In their letter, FUL and HSF point out that the Hawks’ allegations are without foundation; but if there were a basis for prosecution, any threat of or attempt to arrest the Minister would be a manifest abuse of process, intended to harass, humiliate and  intimidate.

FUL and HSF contend that the administration of justice, the economy and the Republic itself have already been gravely endangered by the Hawks and NPAs’ actions against the Minister and that the undertakings they seek are urgently required if further calamitous consequences are to be avoided.

Issued by Francis Antonie on behalf of Helen Suzman Foundation and Freedom Under Law, 2 September 2016