In a joint media statement issued on Wednesday, former SARS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Pillay and Group Executive Johann Van Loggerenberg announced that they will, unlike their former boss, Pravin Gordhan, be “presenting” themselves to Crimes Against the State Commander Brigadier Nyameka Xaba at 09:00 on Thursday.

Xaba, who was appointed by the Hawks acting Head Mthandazo Ntlemeza in 2015, has spearheaded the investigation into the SARS “rogue unit” after current SARS commissioner, Tom Moyane, lodged a complaint in May last year. Xaba reportedly penned the 27 questions sent to Pravin Gordan in February, days before he was due to deliver his Budget speech.

These are the questions that Gordhan replied to in full in May and that he referred to in his Wednesday statement.

Experts have questioned the involvement of the Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit with the SARS investigation instead of the SAPS commercial crimes unit which would be better suited. The CATS are generally tasked with threats to the state including possible coups and outside threats.

Various civil society organisations and individuals including retired Constitutional Court Judge Johann Kriegler, Freedom Under Law’s Advocate George Bizos, Helen Suzman Foundation director Francis Antonie as well as religious organisations will demonstrate their solidarity for the SARS officials outside the building located at 218 Visagie Street, Pretoria.

Mark Heywood of Section 27 announced that, “This is a civil society observer delegation to express disquiet about the attack on the Minister of Finance, SARS and other independent institutions of state…This is a critical moment in our nation’s future. There have been extensive discussions today with many different groups on how to respond. Feel free to join tomorrow and exercise your right to participate in and protect our democracy.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Business Leadership SA also reacted to the Gordhan news by issuing a strongly worded Open Letter to President Zuma.

Meanwhile, EFF CIC, Julius Malema, speaking after Wednesday’s Public Protector committee meeting, urged Gordhan to report to the Hawks as “no one is above the law”.

He added that even if the matter is politically motivated or an abuse of power, “you must always subject yourself to the rule of law and institutions”.

He added, however, that, “Pravin has not done anything wrong. No sober court in South Africa will find him guilty” and that “National Treasury is intact. Zuma wants the Treasury by all means possible, but (that’s not going to happen) because the country will collapse in a week.” DM

Photo of Pravin Gordhan by Greg Nicolson.