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SA opposition party calls for debate on "politcal assault" against finance minister

Xinhua, May 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday called for a snap debate on the so-called political assault against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and the National Treasury.

"I have written to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete, requesting a debate of public importance on what appears to be a deliberate campaign to intimidate the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, and to undermine National Treasury," said David Maynier, DA Shadow Minister of Finance.

"We cannot afford what amounts to a sustained political assault on the finance minister, the only highly professional officials at National Treasury," he said.

South Africa is at a "tipping point" as economic growth collapsing. Some 8.9 million people are unemployed while the country is in danger of a ratings downgrade, Maynier said.

"And for that, we believe that it is a matter of public importance and that there is no reason why the debate should not be scheduled before the recess begins on May 26," he said.

The Sunday Times reported last week that Gordhan could soon be arrested after anti-crime unit, the Hawks, reportedly handed a docket over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for his involvement in the SA Revenue Service's (SARS') "rogue unit", which was illegally spying on taxpayers during his time as SARS' commissioner during 1999 and 2009.

The rumours about Gordhan's imminent arrest have sent the rand plummeting again these days, reaching a new low of around 15.5 against the dollar.

Gordhan said on Tuesday that recent media reports about his imminent arrest have been extremely distressing for his family and himself.

"I cannot believe that I am being investigated and could possibly be charged for something I am completely innocent of," Gordhan said in a statement.

Gordhan said he had worked together with over 10,000 staff for a decade to transform SARS into a world class revenue and customs administration.

"SARS and the specialist investigative units therein operated within the law during my time as the commissioner," said the minister.

The malicious rumours and accusations about "espionage" activities are false and manufactured for other motives, he added.

The Presidency has also denied reports about the imminent arrest of Gordhan. Enditem