S. African finance minister says not to report to police

South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Wednesday that he is under no legal obligation to report to the police's anti-crime unit, the Hawks, in connection with the so-called "rogue unit" at the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

Gordhan confirmed that his attorneys received a letter from the Hawks, or the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, requesting that he present himself at their offices on Thursday.

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 allegedly involved in or have had knowledge of the unit's activities.

In a statement on Wednesday, Gordhan said he had been advised by his legal team that the assertions of law made by the Hawks "are wholly unfounded on any version of the facts".

The minister said he has provided a comprehensive account of matters which the Hawks had raised earlier in their 27 questions.

"I therefore do not intend to present myself for a warning statement for many considerations," Gordhan said.

But he said he remains committed to assisting the Hawks in any bonafide investigation.

"I have a job to do in a difficult economic environment and serve South Africa as best I can. Let me do my job," said the minister.

The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) warned Tuesday that the arrest of Gordhan would be a disaster for South Africa as it would shatter investor confidence, risk a sovereign ratings downgrade and be a disaster for the already fragile zero growth in South Africa. Enditem