EFF STATEMENT ON QUESTIONS TO MINISTER PRAVIN GORDHAN BY THE HAWKS
2 March 2016
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) calls on the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan to cooperate with the investigation conducted by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (“the Hawks”) over the establishment and operations of the National Research Group, the so-called ‘rouge spy unit’ at the South African Receiver of Revenue (SARS).
The EFF holds a strong view that all institutions of government, including Chapter 9 institutions, must be supported and respected at all times, especially by members of the executive, in spite of any suspicions that they may be manipulated by some for furtherance of their own political mechanisations. The protection of the Constitution and the preservation of the democracy begins with unconditional support and respect for all institutions of democracy.
As the EFF we are well aware of the elaborate capture of many of these institutions such as the Hawks, SARS and the National Prosecuting Authority by crooked individuals such as Jacob Zuma and his Gupta principals and their continued abuse that threatens the very fabric our democracy.
This, however, does not exempt anyone from cooperating with them nor should it encourage anyone to interfere with their functions. Any unlawful conduct by these institutions should be challenged in the court of law. We all hold the monumental responsibility to safeguard the integrity and independence of these institutions of democracy at all times.
Minister Gordhan does appear to believe to have committed no criminal offence that could prevent him from fully cooperating with the Hawks’ investigation, nor is he under investigation himself. The Minister must rise above petty political mechanisations and allow legal processes to unfold. South Africa still has an independent judiciary that has not been corrupted and captured by ruling crooks.
The EFF has unwavering confidence in the judiciary and we urge the Minister to do the same. No dishonest and discredited former apartheid police officer like Berning Ntlemeza nor the Gupta deployee at SARS, Tom Moyane, will prevail in the courts if theirs is the pursuit of nefarious and narrow political vendettas.
The EFF urges the Hawks to be transparent about their investigation and inform the public about the specific crime they are investigating. We caution Ntlemeza against abusing his position to create a dark cloud of suspicion against any individual holding important public office.
Statement issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters, 2 March 2016
