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NPA sent Sars 'rogue unit' docket back to Hawks

Johannesburg - The Hawks brought a docket on the so-called Sars "rogue unit" to the NPA a few weeks ago, but it was sent back for further investigation.

"A couple of weeks ago, they brought the docket to the prosecutors, who looked at it and gave instructions for them to do further investigation," National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku said on Monday.

He said the NPA was "guiding" the police investigation.

The Sunday Times reported at the weekend that the Hawks wanted Gordhan and eight others prosecuted for allegedly spying on taxpayers during his time as Sars commissioner between 1999 and 2009.

Sources at both the Hawks and NPA were reportedly waiting for "political go-ahead" before arresting him.

Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi on Sunday referred questions to the Presidency. The Presidency dismissed the report as the "work of dangerous information peddlers who wish to cause confusion and mayhem in the country".

Mfaku said no decision had been taken on prosecuting anyone.

"We do not know who we are going to prosecute, whether we going to prosecute at all. Once it is finalised, then they will be in a position to decide who to prosecute and on what charges, once the investigation is completed."

The Daily Maverick reported on Monday that members of the Gupta family had returned to South Africa last week after the big four banks closed the accounts of their businesses. 

Ajay Gupta allegedly told people dealing with the family's companies that the Hawks would arrest Gordhan, former finance minister Trevor Manuel, and former SA Revenue Service deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay in connection with the “rogue unit”. 

Gupta allegedly said that President Jacob Zuma would remove Gordhan as minister, and that Eskom CEO Brian Molefe would be appointed as his replacement, and ANC MP Sfiso Buthelezi as his deputy. 

The Daily Maverick reported that Buthelezi was meant to be appointed in March. This did not happen after Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas publicly confirmed that the Guptas had offered him Nhlanhla Nene's position as finance minister before he was removed in December last year. 

The Presidency on Sunday again denied rumours of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle.


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