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S. Africa opposition warns against arrest of finance minister

Xinhua, August 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Africa's opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) warned on Tuesday that the arrest of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan would be a disaster for South Africa.

The arrest of Gordhan would shatter investor confidence, risk a sovereign ratings downgrade and be a disaster for the already fragile zero growth, zero jobs economy in South Africa, the DA said.

The Daily Maverick reported that Gordhan has been requested to report to special anti-crime unit, the Hawks, on Thursday in connection with allegations relating to the so-called "rogue unit" at the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

The report has raised concern that Gordhan may be informed about possible charges and may face arrest.

"The only option to get to the bottom of the allegations relating to the SARS 'rogue unit' is the appointment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry in terms of Section 84 of the Constitution," the DA said.

The Hawks wants Gordhan to be prosecuted for "espionage" in a case related to the activities of the SARS "rogue unit" established while he was the tax agency's commissioner between 1999 and 2009

The unit has been accused of illegally gathering intelligence and spying on taxpayers, including VIPs.

According to senior Hawks sources, the unit has handed over a case docket to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision to prosecute Gordhan and eight other former SARS officials said to have been involved in or have had knowledge of the unit's activities.

The Sunday Times reported earlier that some of Gordhan's cabinet colleagues had been informed of his imminent arrest. Enditem