Thuli fears being Hawks's next target

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela says the battle between the Hawks and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has made her wonder whether she is next.

Speaking to The Times on Friday, Madonsela said: "I do not want to get into [a discussion about] law enforcement but what is happening to Gordhan worries me."

Gordhan is supposedly being investigated for his role in setting up an investigative unit within SARS along with four other former top officials - Ivan Pillay, Johann van Loggerenberg, Pete Richer and Andries van Rensburg.

He maintains that he has broken no law.

Yesterday City Press reported that the Hawks investigation was in high gear, with 30 witnesses lined up to testify against Gordhan.

The case docket was referred to the National Prosecuting Authority on Friday.

Madonsela said the way the investigation was being conducted worried her because she, too, had been sent questions but the Hawks subsequently denied that she was being investigated.

In May Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi said Gordhan was not under investigation but "was only sent clarity-seeking questions".

Madonsela said the Hawks "owe the nation an explanation".