THE public spat between Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and the Hawks took a nasty turn yesterday as the Hawks released a scathing statement.
What sounds to have pushed the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, is
Gordhan’s remarks that he was not aware of a letter informing of March 14 16h00 deadline.
Addressing journalists in Sandton, Joburg, on his overseas investor road show on Monday, Gordhan alluded to the fact that
he was not aware of the letter as reported in the weekend papers.
Gordhan instead said he had responded to the first letter in which he asked for more clarity on the questions.
But in a hard hitting press release yesterday, the Hawks said they found Gordhan’s remarks disturbing. In the statement
the Hawks provided a chronology of correspondence between their investigators and Gordhan’s lawyers.
This dated back to February 19 when Gordhan was sent 27 questions to answer. He had to respond by March 1 at 4pm.
Instead he responded an hour before the deadline saying he needed more time as at the time he was busy preparing for
the budget speech.
The Hawks said the needed answers so they could continue with their investigations on what has come to be know as the
rogue unit within SARS.
The unit said in the response asking for more time, Gordhan didn’t not specify how much time he needed. Another letter
was written giving him until Monday.
“We find it very disturbing when the minister is adamant that he never saw a letter with 14 March 2016 as his SECOND
deadline to answer questions,” it said.
The Hawks said his lawyers responded by March 7 and even notified them about his overseas road show. It hit back on
Gordhan for accusing the Hawks of leaking the letter and suggesting they should hold a press conference with facts.
“This is neither a talk-show nor a soapie. We are mandated to investigate without fear, favour or prejudice and there is
nowhere in the constitution wherein calling a press conference has been mentioned as another means of conducting
investigations.
“The minister, for whatever reasons, has failed to meet the SECOND deadline for answering questions and our legal team
are forging a way forward which will see the Hawks exercising our constitutional powers.
“The investigations will not be stalled by an individual who refuses to comply with the authorities and demand a
preferential treatment,” it said.
It further alleged that Gordhan had questioned its authority through his lawyers and that if he had acted like any other
law abiding citizens “we would not be where we are today”.
Following reports of the second letter, Gordhan had complained that the Hawks must harrassing him in the interests if justice.
“Once again the Hawks, and those who instruct them, have no regard for the economic and social welfare of millions,” he said in a statement.
