South Africa’s Gordhan to be charged again this year
NAN-F-12
Charges
Johannesburg, Nov. 6, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will be charged this year over a surveillance unit at the tax agency he once ran, six days after separate charges were dropped against him, a report said on Sunday.
Gordhan is being investigated for his role in setting up a unit at the tax department a decade ago that is suspected of spying on politicians, including President Jacob Zuma.
The report said Gordhan will be charged with fraud and defeating the ends of justice by the end of this year, citing sources at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks, a special police branch.
“Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi questioned the veracity of the report, saying “how do you charge someone before you have concluded an investigation?” he said.
An NPA spokesman did not respond to a text message and phone call requesting comment.
The NPA dropped charges against Gordhan last week relating to allegations he fraudulently approved early retirement for a deputy tax commissioner, costing the revenue service 80,000 dollars.
The rand rallied after the reports that Gordhan would not be prosecuted, as investors welcomed a reprieve for a finance minister respected by markets.
Gordhan has said none of the charges have any merit.
Analysts believe political turmoil in recent months is the result of a power struggle between Gordhan and Zuma over.
Among other things is the issuing of government tenders to Zuma’s wealthy business friends and their influence over the ANC. (Reuters/NAN)
OYE/MST
Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola