A new twist in the Hawks vs Gordhan saga

The City Press has learned that the docket containing the investigation in the finance minister Pravin Gordhan and other SARS officials is now in the hands of the crime intelligence unit – and that it was only recently re-opened for investigation.

The paper obtained the case number (427/05/2015), which was recently transferred to the CIU for further investigation, after the Hawks couldn’t make “sufficient progress” on the matter.

Strangely, however, the case – which was opened in 2015 by SARS head Tom Monyane – was closed in December 2015 and only officially re-opened this week.

This means that the widely-publicised to-and-fro between Gordhan and the Hawks – most notably when the Hawks sent the minister 27 questions at the time of the budget speech – was happening when the case was closed.

The case was initially closed as “undetected” meaning the complainant could not be traced, or the suspect could not be linked to the crime.

The CIU confirmed to the City Press that it had received the docket, however the Hawks maintained the statement from earlier this week, saying that there was no investigation into the minister.

The unit previously said that the investigation was a general investigation into the so-called SARS unit, and Gordhan was only questioned for further information related to that.

In May, reports emerged citing senior Hawks officials and officials in the National Prosecuting Authority saying that Gordhan’s arrest was imminent.

Following those reports, both departments made it clear that no one was gunning for the minister, while the Presidency rubbished speculation that president Jacob Zuma was involved.

You can read the full story in the City Press for 29 May 2016