DA call for inquiry into SARS rogue unit

29 February 2016 - 22:22 By TMG Digital
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Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and President Jacob Zuma ahead of the 2016 budget speech in parliament.
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and President Jacob Zuma ahead of the 2016 budget speech in parliament.
Image: ESA ALEXANDER

The DA is calling for an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged rogue unit in SARS.

The party released a statement on Monday responding to reports that a “war” had broken out between President Jacob Zuma and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan‚ with markets nervous about speculation that Gordhan could be fired.

The Hawks police unit also announced that it would investigate the existence of a rogue unit in the SA Revenue Service when Gordhan was heading the national tax collector.

“President Jacob Zuma is in full damage control mode desperately trying to keep the political lid on the internal civil war‚ which has broken out over the so-called “rogue unit” within SARS‚” the DA said.

“However‚ the fact that the public had to be reassured that the Minister of Finance‚ Pravin Gordhan‚ has nothing to worry about and that his job is not in jeopardy‚ is likely to have the reverse effect and undermine‚ rather than boost‚ investor confidence in South Africa.

“What is not in dispute is that the Hawks have launched an investigation into the SARS 'rogue unit'‚ which the Minister believes is politically motivated and aimed at trying to intimidate and distract him as well as destabilise the economic stability of South Africa.

“That is why the only viable option‚ with any hope of avoiding mutually assured destruction and uncovering the truth‚ is for President Jacob Zuma to appoint an independent judicial commission of inquiry‚ in terms of Section 84 of the Constitution‚ to investigate all the allegations surrounding the so-called ‘rogue unit’ within SARS.”

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