--- title: "While you were sleeping: 27 October 2016" description: "NPA overplayed their hand in Gordhan case, 3/5's of all vertebrates killed, and French president has a Marie Antoinette moment." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "South Africa" author: "John Stupart" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-27-while-you-were-sleeping-27-october-2016/" published: "2016-10-27T06:14:58" updated: "2016-10-27T06:15:24" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 1143 --- # While you were sleeping: 27 October 2016 > NPA overplayed their hand in Gordhan case, 3/5's of all vertebrates killed, and French president has a Marie Antoinette moment. By John Stupart · Published 27 October 2016, 08:14 SAST · Updated 27 October 2016, 08:15 SAST ## Content | \| \\| *"The man who has grit enough to bring about the afforestation or the irrigation of a country is not less worthy of**honour**than its conqueror."* **–****Sir John Arthur Thomson** \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| | | --- | | \| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Story of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](//gallery.mailchimp.com/6170d6a6d93cac57e83ba137f/images/00eb3a16-a865-4215-911c-7733f75cc782.jpg) \\\| \\\| --- \\\|\\\| ## [Game Over for Abrahams,](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-27-game-over-for-abrahams-moyane-and-co-documents-prove-gordhan-prosecution-political/#.WBFu6C195hF)[Moyane](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-27-game-over-for-abrahams-moyane-and-co-documents-prove-gordhan-prosecution-political/#.WBFu6C195hF)[and Co: Documents prove Gordhan prosecution political](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-27-game-over-for-abrahams-moyane-and-co-documents-prove-gordhan-prosecution-political/#.WBFu6C195hF)A dramatic turn of events has yielded fresh evidence that the prosecution of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is a political hit and that NPA head Shaun Abrahams has overplayed his hand. Not only did SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane’s own legal counsel refuse to get involved in the prosecution for “ethical reasons” but it is clear now that the HAWKS and the NPA sought, after the fact, to find evidence to prop up the charges. Also, a senior deputy director of law administration at SARS was threatened and held hostage in the boardroom at the revenue service’s headquarters by Crimes Against the State commander, Brigadier Nyameka Xaba, after refusing to sign an affidavit. By MARIANNE THAMM. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-27-game-over-for-abrahams-moyane-and-co-documents-prove-gordhan-prosecution-political/#.WBFu6C195hF) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # While you were sleeping \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## House of cards tumble for AbrahamsIn case you missed the story above, a critical piece of evidence has emerged proving political motivation behind Pravin Gordhan's fraud charges. Much hinges on a hostage situation involving SARS deputy director of law administration, Vlok Symington, his boss Tom Moyane mistakenly forwarding him incriminating evidence, and the NPA and Hawks generally acting like buffoons. If you read one thing today, [read this](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-27-game-over-for-abrahams-moyane-and-co-documents-prove-gordhan-prosecution-political/#.WBFu6C195hF). \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## Syrian strike kills 22 childrenA Russian or Syrian airstrike has killed 22 children at a school in the rebel-held Idlib province in northwestern Syria. The action was one of six airstrikes in the area that killed 35 people in total. UNICEF has called it a war crime. This, it seems, is the august company South Africa will be joining when it leaves the International Criminal Court. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-27-22-children-killed-in-air-raid-on-syria-school-unicef) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## WWF report shows vertebrate decimationKeeping in tune with the 'humanity is great' theme, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has released a report showing three fifths of all vertebrate animals in the world have been killed since 1970. Human appetite is responsibile for killing and consuming 58 percent of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. At the current pace, this could shoot to two thirds by 2020. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-27-humanity-decimating-planetary-wildlife-report) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## French candidate has painful chocolate momentFrench presidential hopeful Jean-Francois Cope had a bit of a Marie Antoinnette moment. During a television interview, Cope answered a question on the price of a pain au chocolat, saying he thought it must be around 10 to 15 centimes. Cope's complete disconnect with the cost of things (the sweet pastries cost about 10 times this amount) has become the topic of ongoing ridicule through social media. As it should. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-27-french-presidential-hopeful-has-marie-antoinette-moment) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## Sponsored content by Investec Fixing SA's education: Entrepreneurs look to Finland[This year South Africa will spend about R204-billion on education.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-23-fixing-sas-education) That’s roughly 20% of our national budget. But what bang do we get for that buck? Barely a fizzle. A World Economic Forum report ranked SA 139 out of 143 countries for overall quality of education. In Maths and Science, we ranked last. In short, despite government making education a priority, there’s very poor return on the vast sums of money being spent. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-23-fixing-sas-education) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # In Numbers \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **2** \\| \\| --- \\|\\| The number of times Joseph Stalin was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Facts of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| Today in 1922 Zimbabwe (Southern Rhodesia), in a referendum, rejected beingannexed by the then Union of South Africa.Forget any notion of eating utility.**English dining fashion**in the 19th century saw the use of knives and forks as a means of slowing down the "unseemly business of mastication". \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Weather \\| \\| --- \\|\\| # Financial Data \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| BFN: min: 17° max: 33°, sunny CPT: min: 15° max: 23°, cloudy DBN: min: 18° max: 27°, cloudy EL: min: 17° max: 26°, cloudy JHB: min: 15° max: 31°, cloudy KIM: min: 120° max: 34°, sunny NLP: min: 16° max: 35°, cloudy PMB: min: 14° max: 34°, sunny PKN: min: 17° max: 31°, cloudy PE: min: 18° max: 24°, cloudy PTA: min: 17° max: 31°, cloudy \\| \\| --- \\|\\| Oil=$49.94 Gold=$1,266.98 Platinum=$962.91 R/$=13.88 R/€=15.14 R/£=17.00 €/$=1.09 JSE All Share=51,552.32 DJIA= 18,199.33 FTSE 100=6,958.09 [Source](http://dailymaverick.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6170d6a6d93cac57e83ba137f&id=6c17d969dc&e=371f6bebf2) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Now on Daily Maverick### **FEATURES**\\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Jjk90P7u3_jexguc82-1QeTh0ZnMCHShi5kPZmTbBoJycw_zRqihB7XohTZIsaAwqdQPYMbNT_mORuE-NR1nbgVKW7bN-EZcyPhCNbc7l6Ecm1HVi3lpKiWrK1bvWZ8hHiNE=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70game-over.jpg)(Greg Nicolson / Daily Maverick), SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane (GCIS)" /> \\\| [Game Over for Abrahams, Moyane and Co: Documents prove Gordhan prosecution political](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-27-game-over-for-abrahams-moyane-and-co-documents-prove-gordhan-prosecution-political/) By Marianne Thamm \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/zBBHc_tdJZ1Paz7_pSc1BrDdZLvB1ltvJS3PYe7i7UQJ8d75gODyC9Tc5rhRZkNLcb8RhAHnG3XPYiEP23Ax2QfA4hwfQ7FoHsu45u_5DHTxjR9saV64F8EKbaQEZBeJDjdlegzJx1cd_AM=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Pravin-main-photo.jpg)Medium Term Budget Policy speech to Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, 26 October 2016. With student protestors demonstrating at the gates of parliament, the Finance Minister delivered his medium term budget policy speech to parliament despite a disruption by protestors inside the National Assmbly who were removed by police. EPA/NIC BOTHMA" /> \\\| [MTBPS: Gordhan steps into the breach with extra R17 billion for poor students](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-mtbps-gordhan-steps-into-the-breach-with-extra-r17-billion-for-poor-students/) By Judith February \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/fAPw5rhbFd6sAsMJg_wuzuQBY3EfNpE_LyiXhXuTmEq3dvtksIH5yMIF6lfh12cOqwtToPQ_Z1pgdQSg_cVxCWFQ1JLgwVbzcfnLsm3T1J1c0pMYbDWnJne9OtWLhhp3dhXkrQio6p7W=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Greg-MTBPS-reax.jpg)protesting students ahead of presenting his Medium Term Budget Policy speech to Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, 26 October 2016. With student protesters demonstrating at the gates of parliament, the Finance Minister delivered his medium term budget policy speech to parliament despite a disruption by protesters inside the National Assembly who were removed by police. EPA/NIC BOTHMA" /> \\\| [MTBPS reactions: From Great to Not Far Enough](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-mtbps-reactions-from-great-to-not-far-enough/) By Greg Nicolson \\\| \\\| ![Main photo by Leila Dougan.](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/0apuJMX8PYZtUFhGTjVzsyN7JliIlcs_BVWvXnfhTxIpNmXSjM4Y3MHVi4IJ4-UgUJrne7C2cenPwOCMkvGYNyDUMc1ytSJegM2xePIHdHct4CRvMODdaB1boaiNTlFDXTxjo8TWRNeg1GBNz_ybrOVeNrW0QWXl9p_eag7AoRKp=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Parliament-protest-image-9-Leila-Dougan.jpg) \\\| [October 26, 2016: A day for MTBPS and #FeesMustFall violence](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-october-26-2016-a-day-for-mtbps-and-feesmustfall-violence/) By Daily Maverick Chronicle \\\| \\\| ![Photo by Ashraf Hendricks.](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/5_UtS6Bsni2s7mtQ5HTj6szRAPTeLvCfP7VmDXPpzfuRcVkk-7a3KJvIiQSy1kQdOoCqYcTIjOJTeRq9WWfL7hLwPe6zRgyZ8hhIvJ_LTkLrugU2Oa0A94tzVCGGOmTbAb74_EB7VH5n-QLxQNQ_4lsesyp3PJqyYgjNVeA0=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q7016ParlementProtest-8088HR-MAIN-PHOTO.jpg) \\\| [GroundUp: Thousands in #FeesMustFall march on Parliament](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-groundup-thousands-in-feesmustfall-march-on-parliament/) By GroundUp \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/sWyI7e4EX9f_csRbokiOGWkp-wCkK5-RrXl59ZbNONGbFcuKeXe1gihFEEYZV0icMr78KiiT9Av9bFIMnYDZhop6rxil_Lzzl_vqq4yqQBhEd_WwP__Wx3IvJJ03btX4N8Li3hdbQFWH3w=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Simon-ICC-Gambia.jpg)conference in Banjul, after election results announced him the winner of presidential polls, September 23, 2006. REUTERS/Finbarr O’Reilly (GAMBIA)" /> \\\| [Gambia, the ICC and the African domino effect](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-gambia-the-icc-and-the-african-domino-effect/) By Simon Allison \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/zltvCFoqMsmOYEAAu16hfryEteR4DqGK2wRwWJ4A27SKYjzQZAqBrz9av2d8PQcrpmlSxiwz-nRiACko1pZSnjonGlwE03Qe9S3p153dNho3RcsXr78g-8jxCyONw-55K_aGGASIDKg1eNgnKjX8ZA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Tristen-Taylor-Poverty.jpg)Town, South Africa 30 May 2003. EPA-PHOTO/EPA/Nic Bothma" /> \\\| [Op-Ed: We should all be ashamed of our inequality and poverty](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-op-ed-we-should-all-be-ashamed-of-our-inequality-and-poverty/) By Tristen Taylor \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Ef8GOAN0CSgYqBSOww7Btz0MkOY_GvLXXxLZtE3lYdiVcY_pY06zftYCuYsJ_nypnbvNldvbSw_oj_YawXir72_PrjW-ygjwHU7ZGHkIGC18ulArbBSZYlaGWMTxUqcPEgrvOl5zWAAYd4gfMB1F=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Conqa-Sport-potential.jpg)League final soccer match between Juventus FC and FC Barcelona at Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, 06 June 2015. EPA/MARCUS BRANDT" /> \\\| [Unlocking Potential: How fan engagement and brand equity drive on-field performance](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-unlocking-potential-how-fan-engagement-and-brand-equity-drive-on-field-performance/) By Daniel Gallan \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/hA1YGYqhdjQkIbeRrQOOorvAVxz2eVGO1PqfgSMcbKidjs6mRhkUwFZb5gcK1KVSp-AiL5nKNma0KyVirwfJ7YleElM6Cr5KJiBVDLMIu99R8lG9kcEh7pB0THbEWWrLPXzLeG3rBs0Kciu3jt-ynkzEwTeUgHU=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Hursh-Sudan-real-and-imagined.jpg)Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (Not Pictured), in Cairo, Egypt, 05 Otober 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI" /> \\\| [Op-Ed: Sudan – Real and Imagined](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-op-ed-sudan-real-and-imagined/) By John Hursh \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/FvG1ALLHFbBLJJxy0vvVAAoqwDZ_ItWfIGbl8eFZEpJROq1AXRcAaHGUUdsXVyXY_QUtm12DBOlJG8s2mHtQzhqodSru9AYzS6DGnYHx-6Wfm7Az0IwTgVbioZQ4gQtA973YHWdV1QejQcmoAydh3MTRIA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70GroundUp-UCT-staff-picket.jpg)Department, read out the memorandum at Wednesday morning’s protest." /> \\\| [GroundUp: ‘We want Blade,’ UCT staff chant at Parliament](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-groundup-we-want-blade-uct-staff-chant-at-parliament/) By GroundUp \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/52Y13FzRC7VQCT6ozbc_Obc_kK6H4bVx2qA7nCis_2gtkIsKXYnFnjvVOu9gIgoIlK7r9mmlKrhYWrIeg2DX-fBqPaJvl6RTOPrP46sAHV4Q3eRojlrvMEIUS1dVVYR5ANzWyQOozSs8v1XejAWorelOFbkxLWYmPNUDNvNDhw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Ant-The-Paper-Round-Mamelodi-Sundowns.jpg)African Champions League (CAF) Final second d leg soccer match between Zamalekand Sundowns Casablanca at Borg Al Arab stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, 23 October 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI" /> \\\| [The Paper Round: What does Mamelodi Sundowns win mean for South African football?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-the-paper-round-what-does-mamelodi-sundowns-win-mean-for-south-african-football/) By Antoinette Muller \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/HW1l3vQ9wKV8qIgg9mnRpjbOnkBx9Qnxrd22VKfDa-L2Xse0NMTNccdGo5Zeo5S1s4Q3X37Qq7auSVML2eT2PBoJVhQElIFINAuB2w4xFo_THvDRE9bI8RvQMuI8czDw9uOSUH97wdIMD3Nl=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Ant-CSA-no-sponsor.jpg)after taking the wicket of Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir during the Super Eight stage match of the World Twenty20 tournament between South Africa and India at Colombo, Sri Lanka, 02 October 2012. EPA/HARISH TYAGI" /> \\\| [What’s in a name? For Cricket South Africa, it’s the lack of a T20 sponsor](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-10-26-whats-in-a-name-for-cricket-south-africa-its-the-lack-of-a-t20-sponsor/) By Antoinette Muller \\\|### **OPINIONISTA**\\\| ![mark-heywood.jpg](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/-KfAvB1lrQGmG3dKc1wxPrgfX8A1goamDRLB_IG_PfsHdkFyKoD0GeP95qJiSRySxdSLjHxlaW6NPBcNM9iOAge54KlPrWpfSNbGZu_21lzsp-vM6ovN0NVbSMxrzy2Dfc1497cG=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70mark-heywood.jpg) \\\| [Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 4](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-10-26-reasons-to-be-cheerful-part-4/) By Mark Heywood \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Zinhle-Manzini.jpg](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ny7GqgVnMzd2DPQ6HpM4MdyjWOowv2kAZhpqWD70YUgaRF6r6ty0zLBQFko9VD8bjLZpqf0k5EvnZyYYDYgY-u1MH4GZBXuJ4qytxmkXEnrwBY1pL_XZCx0HQCdo1JebbM8kwX1usZE=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Zinhle-Manzini.jpg) \\\| [Presence of police and private security at Wits triggered PTSD](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-10-26-presence-of-police-and-private-security-at-wits-triggered-ptsd/) By Zinhle Manzini \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| |