Prominent human rights lawyer advocate George Bizos expressed concern about the future of justice and law in the country.

Bizos‚ together with retired Constitutional Court Judge Johann Kriegler and Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) director Francis Antonie‚ joined civil society organisations to offer moral support to the former SA Revenue Service (Sars) officials who were ordered to present themselves to the Hawks on Thursday.

Former Sars deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay and former group executive of tax and customs enforcement investigations Johann van Loggerenberg had been requested to present themselves to the Hawks offices in Pretoria.

Pillay presents himself at Hawks HQ over 'Sars Wars' probe

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan had also been requested to present himself on Thursday afternoon‚ but he indicated on Wednesday that he would not present himself for a warning statement.

The Hawks wanted to engage with Gordhan‚ Pillay and Van Loggerenberg concerning their role in the establishment of an investigating unit at Sars in 2007.

Gordhan said Hawks head Berning Ntlemeza had informed him in May that he was not a suspect in the investigation.

“We are concerned about the future of justice and law in South Africa. Judge Kriegler and I‚ and many others‚ have fought against apartheid for many years. We are concerned that the past events are being repeated now‚” Bizos said.

Kriegler said Freedom Under Law‚ together with the HSF‚ were hopeful their application to have Ntlemeza’s appointment as head of the Hawks declared unlawful would be successful.

“We are dealing with the Hawks‚ the sharpest knife in the law enforcement drawer‚” Kriegler said.

Kriegler said that‚ while there was an armed incursion at the offices of the foundation a few months ago‚ Hawks officials had not investigated the robbery.

“The Hawks were very busy pursuing…trumped-up charges. They are not doing their jobs‚” Kriegler said. — TMG Digital