Share

SA prosecutor denies he's out to topple Gordhan

Johannesburg - South Africa’s top prosecutor denied involvement in a political plot to unseat Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and said reports that his arrest is imminent for authorising setting up a “rogue” investigative unit at the national tax agency were “unwarranted and speculative”.

“The matter is not on my desk,” Shaun Abrahams, the national director of the National Prosecuting Authority, told reporters in Pretoria on Monday. “It will only make its way to me after the investigation has been concluded and a recommendation thereon made to me. I implore you to respect the process.”

South Africa’s rand slumped to a two-month low on May 19, days after the Sunday Times newspaper reported that Gordhan, 67, may face dismissal and arrest on espionage charges for setting up the South African Revenue Service’s National Research Group to spy on politicians including President Jacob Zuma. Gordhan denied any wrongdoing and said he was being harassed by people intent on manipulating the justice system for political gain.

“There is no evidence remotely that has been brought to my attention nor to the attention of the National Prosecuting Authority that the investigation of the SARS rogue unit is politically motivated,” Abrahams said.

“The NPA is not involved in, nor is it driving, any prosecution in this matter. The NPA is not conspiring with anyone to intimidate or harass any persons. The NPA is not filthy or corrupt as some politicians and others would want you to believe.”

Zuma was forced to reinstate Gordhan as finance minister when the rand and bonds plunged following his decision in December to replace Nhlanhla Nene in the post with a little-known lawmaker, raising questions about the government’s commitment to fiscal targets. Gordhan, who had previously served as finance minister from 2009 to 2014, has pledged to curb government spending and rein in corruption as South Africa struggles to avoid having its credit rating downgraded to junk.

The rand has declined 26% against the dollar since the start of last year, the most of 16 major currencies monitored by Bloomberg. It traded at R15.63/$ at 14:06 in Johannesburg.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.08
-0.9%
Rand - Pound
24.03
-0.6%
Rand - Euro
20.57
-0.5%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
-0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.9%
Platinum
890.97
-0.7%
Palladium
988.99
-1.3%
Gold
2,195.56
+0.0%
Silver
24.43
-0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
67,885
+0.3%
All Share
74,077
+0.2%
Resource 10
56,208
+1.0%
Industrial 25
103,636
+0.4%
Financial 15
16,471
-0.3%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders