Decision to prosecute Gordhan not political: NPA
NPA boss, Shaun Abrahams, has assured the media and the public at large that the decision to prosecute Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, is not politically motivated.
News broke yesterday morning, that Gordhan, former SARS Commissioner Oupa Magashula, and his former deputy Ivan Pillay, had been served with a summons to appear in court early November on fraud related charges.
Abrahams confirmed the issuing of a summoning at a press briefing yesterday, explaining the charges related to R1.1 million payout made by SARS to Pillay after he went on early retirement with full benefits.
Abrahams went into great detail to explain why Pillay did not qualify for the early retirement and why signing off on this was a transgression.
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Responding to questions from the media, he stressed that there was no political interference in the decision to prosecute.
Yesterday, Treasury said the fraud charges against finance Gordhan are "contaminated by abuse for political ends".
Yolisa Tyantsi says Gordhan's office received and signed for the summons yesterday morning.
She adds that the minister's legal team have had extensive interactions with the Hawks over the last six months, including providing for clear communication channels in the event that any further legal proceedings are initiated.
"Despite this, the Hawks chose to arrive unannounced at the Minister's private residence this morning. On being told that the Minister has left for another engagement they preceded to the National Treasury offices and served the summons," she said.