Media Statement from Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS)
South African Police Service

Pretoria– The office of the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), has noted several media reports about the alleged investigations of the Minister of Finance Mr Pravin Gordhan by the Hawks.

We would like to set the record straight, put the matter into perspective and state our stance into the entire debacle. We can confirm that as the Hawks we are investigating a case concerning the alleged illegal operations by a so-called ‘rogue unit’ within the South African Revenue Services (SARS), not Mr Gordhan per se.

Mr Gordhan was the Commissioner at SARS at the time when the covert unit was allegedly established. As part of our thorough investigations into the operations of the said unit we needed some clarity and Mr Gordhan, who was the man at the helm of SARS at that time, was the suitable man to talk to, hence we sent him a set of questions for him to answer.

We have always stated that as the Hawks we do not conduct our investigations through the media. It is not in the interest of justice when maters under investigations are blown out of proportion, and in the process victimizing certain individuals.

As the Hawks we urge media practitioners, especially journalists and editors to respect the work that we do and stop reporting unsubstantiated information.

No further comments will be made on the matter.

Statement issued by Corporate Communication: DPCI (Hawks), 29 February 2016