Hawks hit back at SACP over claims Gordhan probe is politically motivated
The Hawks reacted angrily on Thursday at suggestions by the South African Communist Party (SACP) that ongoing investigations into Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan were politically motivated.
The elite crime fighting unit is investigating Gordhan over his alleged role in creating a “rogue unit” at the South African Revenue Services (Sars). The finance minister, whom media reports claimed was facing imminent arrest, has denied any wrong doing.
Hawks Spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said: “The SACP alleged in a statement that the Lieutenant General Ntlemeza has a ‘new mandate’ which they claimed was to harass SACP members. The party also claimed that they overhead Lieutenant General Ntlemeza telling a ‘third party’ that the Hawks would target Madoda Sambatha of North West”.
Mulaudzi added: “We would like to remind the SACP that the Hawks has one mandate which is to combat, prevent and investigate all serious organised crime, serious corruption and serious commercial crime. It is puzzling that the party hides the name of the person who claimed to have overhead the alleged conversation”.
On Wednesday SACP spokesman, Alex Mashilo, said: “The conduct of the Hawks under Ntlemeza’s stewardship is increasingly leaving much to be desired, and indeed reflects politically motivated, factional and private agendas”.
Responding to the SACP, Mulaudzi said: “The office of the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has read with shock and disappointment the malicious accusations contained in a statement issued by the South African Communist Party (SACP) labelled against the Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza.”
The Hawks spokesman added: “We are challenging the SACP to open a case and present their evidence in court. In case the SACP had not heard the office of the DPCI Judge is fully functional and can be contacted on the following numbers: 021 422 3262/1542 or 071 411 8761.
“Reporting such malicious accusations to the relevant office, Judge Essa Moosa, would have at the very least attempt to dignify their utterances than running to the media in a bid to derail the National Head of the Hawks from executing his duties without fear, favour or prejudice.
“The Hawks do not investigate cases through the media and will at no point engage the SACP or anybody else on the individuals we are investigating,” said Mulaudzi. - ANA