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Zuma supports finance minister, but will not stop probe: Presidency

Xinhua, August 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

South African President Jacob Zuma supports his Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan but will not stop the probe into his alleged connection with a spy unit, the Presidency said Thursday.

The president does not have powers to stop any investigations into any individuals, presidential spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said.

The Presidency issued the statement after police anti-crime unit, the Hawks, ordered Gordhan to report to police for his alleged role in the "rogue unit" of the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

Gordhan said Wednesday that he was under no legal obligation to report to the Hawks in connection with the "rogue unit."

The Hawks wants Gordhan to be prosecuted for "espionage" in a case related to 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.

The move is likely to plunge the markets back into the turmoil seen in December last year when Zuma fired the then Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.

The Presidency has noted the society's concerns over the investigation by the the Hawks involving Gordhan as well as other former SARB officials, Ngqulunga said.

The negative effect of these matters on the economy, personal pressure on the individuals affected as well as the heads of institutions, however disturbing, cannot be cause for the president to intervene unconstitutionally, the spokesperson said.

Ngqulunga, however, said Zuma wishes to express his full support and confidence in Gordhan and emphasizes the fact that the minister has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing. Endit