Nhleko clarifies SARS 'rogue unit' probe
Police Minister Nathi Nhleko says it is normal procedure for individuals to be questioned during investigations.
Nhleko's been briefing the media in Cape Town on the Hawks' investigation into the existence of a a so-called Rogue Unit at SARS.
There were reports last week that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan had received a list of 27 questions from the Hawks about the unit before his Budget Speech.
Nhleko says there is nothing sinister about this.
"The fact that questions would have been sent to an individual does not mean that individual is necessarily facing an investigation or is being charged for that matter. Those are formal processes as and when, for example, the police decide that it has got to be so to therefore begin treating people as suspects on a particular matter," he said.
The report also suggested there was a plot to get Gordhan out.
In a rare statement and show of support for Gordhan, ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe condemned the Hawks' letter to the minister saying the timing and leaking of it were questionable.
Mantashe called it a well-calculated destabilisation plan with all the elements of disinformation, falsehoods and exaggerated facts.
(File photo: Gallo Image)