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Malema: No reason to panic, Gordhan not guilty

Cape Town - There is no reason to panic and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan must stop being a "cry baby", because he has done nothing wrong and no court in SA will find him guilty, EFF leader Julius Malema said on Wednesday.

He was speaking to reporters on the side lines of the Public Protector interviews in Parliament on Wednesday.

Malema said in his view, President Jacob Zuma "wants Treasury by all means possible".

"But he will not get hold of it, because if he does anything stupid, this economy will collapse. So, you can be guaranteed nothing will happen," said Malema.

However, he noted that there will always be a dark cloud hanging over Gordhan unless he, for instance, appears in court of law.

"We will never know if there is an abuse of power if Pravin does not appear in front of a neutral court of law. Let Pravin be charged if they want to charge him."

LISTEN TO THE FULL CLIP OF WHAT MALEMA SAID:

Gordhan together with former SA Revenue Service officials must meet the Hawks on Thursday to receive a letter of warning (which precedes an official charge) regarding an investigation unit set up when Gordhan was Sars commissioner from 1999 to 2009.

Late on Wednesday afternoon Gordhan indeed indicated in a statement issued by Treasury that he had taken legal counsel and was advised that he is under no legal obligation to present himself to the Hawks as directed in their letter.

"I have since taken legal counsel.... I am advised that I am under no legal obligation to present myself to the Hawks as directed in their letter. I have decided not to do", said Gordhan.

"I have a job to do in a difficult economic environment and serve South Africa as best I can. Let me do my job."

More on Gordhan:

Rand takes beating as Gordhan drama deepens

Open letter to President Jacob Zuma: Hands off Gordhan

FULL STATEMENT: Why Gordhan won't meet the Hawks

Read Fin24's top stories trending on Twitter:

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