Rogue Unit report was about ‘capture’ of SARS, says Pillay
Former South African Revenue Service deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay says he believes the public protector’s report into the so-called Rogue Unit formed part of efforts to “capture” the institution.
Pillay is testifying at Parliament’s inquiry into the suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office.
Mkhwebane’s report, which found that Minister Pravin Gordhan established the covert unit illegally, was set aside by the High Court.
Evidence leader, Advocate Nazreen Bawa, asked Pillay on Friday if he believed that Gordhan was the primary target of the report.
Pillay told the committee that he could not be certain of the ultimate aim, except to say there were “bigger issues” at play.
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“I have always felt that there were bigger issues at play and that it was actually the capture of SARS. And that is the reason why so much pressure was brought to bear on us in SARS and many other people in the country. So I have never felt that I was a personal target.”
The inquiry is in its fourth week and is expected to conclude in September.
The committee also heard testimony from Johann van Loggerenberg, another former SARS executive.
