Gordhan will not make representations to NDPP over fraud charge
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has decided not to make representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions to review the charges against him.
Gordhan's lawyers released a statement saying the main reason for his decision is that he doesn't have any confidence in Shaun Abrahams' ability or willingness to afford him a fair hearing.
"First, we repeatedly asked the NPA to afford the Minister an opportunity to make representations to them before they decided whether to prosecute the Minister but they spurned our requests. Second, the NDPP's conduct at his press conference announcing the decision to charge the Minister made clear his commitment to the prosecution. Third, having now had an opportunity to study the charges against the Minister, it is also clear to us that they manifest a resolute and not well founded determination to prosecute the Minister at all costs. Any representations to the NDPP would accordingly be pointless," his legal representative said in a statement.
Gordhan is expected to appear in court on 2 November after he was summoned, along with former SARS Commissioner Oupa Magashula and former Deputy Commissioner Ivan Pillay in connection with Gordhan's summons as well as those of former SARS Commissioner Oupa Magashula and former Deputy Commissioner Ivan Pillay in connection with Pillay's early retirement pay-out.