Business leadership SA (BLSA) warned that progress made by a joint effort by government‚ business and labour will be threatened by the possible charging‚ or even arresting‚ of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
Gordhan received a letter from the Hawks on Monday‚ demanding that he present himself to provide the unit for a warning statement — implying that he is a suspect and that he could be arrested.
Gordhan has maintained that the setting-up of the alleged covert unit at the South African Revenue Service (Sars) was above board and had ministerial approval.
In a further indication that knives are out for Gordhan‚ Sars has also launched an investigation into IT contracts as part of the “modernisation project” awarded during Gordhan’s tenure as Sars commissioner.
If you’re innocent‚ there’s nothing they can do to you – EFF to Gordhan
The revenue service has asked accounting firm Grant Thornton to conduct an audit of the contracts.
Gordhan said he will not present himself‚ as requested by the Hawks on Thursday‚ due to legal reasons and other commitments.
Gordhan’s stance is set to heighten his standoff with President Jacob Zuma‚ who is believed to be behind the Hawks’ renewed badgering of the finance minister.
The BLSA‚ in a open letter to Zuma‚ noted that no one was above the law‚ but said the present Hawks investigation into the minister’s former role as Sars commissioner “lacked any legitimacy or credibility“.
“It is shocking that out national collective effort to avoid a ratings downgrade and to restore inclusive economy growth is now being so insidiously subverted‚” the organisation said.
“If this sinister behaviour is allowed to continue the consequences will be devastating for our economy and will fatally undermine our national efforts to address poverty‚ inequality‚ and unemployment.”
The BLSA said if there was an investigation into the issue‚ the organisation would urge that it be conducted by a credible institution such as the public protector.
“My president‚ our country stands once more on the edge of the abyss.
“We urge you to act to preserve the unity and progress we have achieved since December by ensuring an end to the harassment‚ intimidation‚ and undermining of the leadership of our most important economic governance institutions.” – TMG Digital/BDlive
Business leaders urge Zuma to ‘ensure an end to harassment of Gordhan’
Business leadership SA (BLSA) warned that progress made by a joint effort by government‚ business and labour will be threatened by the possible charging‚ or even arresting‚ of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
Gordhan received a letter from the Hawks on Monday‚ demanding that he present himself to provide the unit for a warning statement — implying that he is a suspect and that he could be arrested.
Gordhan has maintained that the setting-up of the alleged covert unit at the South African Revenue Service (Sars) was above board and had ministerial approval.
In a further indication that knives are out for Gordhan‚ Sars has also launched an investigation into IT contracts as part of the “modernisation project” awarded during Gordhan’s tenure as Sars commissioner.
If you’re innocent‚ there’s nothing they can do to you – EFF to Gordhan
The revenue service has asked accounting firm Grant Thornton to conduct an audit of the contracts.
Gordhan said he will not present himself‚ as requested by the Hawks on Thursday‚ due to legal reasons and other commitments.
Gordhan’s stance is set to heighten his standoff with President Jacob Zuma‚ who is believed to be behind the Hawks’ renewed badgering of the finance minister.
The BLSA‚ in a open letter to Zuma‚ noted that no one was above the law‚ but said the present Hawks investigation into the minister’s former role as Sars commissioner “lacked any legitimacy or credibility“.
“It is shocking that out national collective effort to avoid a ratings downgrade and to restore inclusive economy growth is now being so insidiously subverted‚” the organisation said.
“If this sinister behaviour is allowed to continue the consequences will be devastating for our economy and will fatally undermine our national efforts to address poverty‚ inequality‚ and unemployment.”
The BLSA said if there was an investigation into the issue‚ the organisation would urge that it be conducted by a credible institution such as the public protector.
“My president‚ our country stands once more on the edge of the abyss.
“We urge you to act to preserve the unity and progress we have achieved since December by ensuring an end to the harassment‚ intimidation‚ and undermining of the leadership of our most important economic governance institutions.” – TMG Digital/BDlive