A group of South African business leaders has called on President Jacob Zuma to intervene and stop what they call attacks on Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan by the police special investigations unit known as the Hawks.
They say in an open letter to Zuma that the spat between the Hawks and Gordhan threatens to devastate the economy.
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Business Leadership South Africa president Saki Maconzoma says 18 months of work done by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and others to stave off a credit ratings downgrade to junk status has been jeopardised .
The president needs to act urgently.
If necessary he could put the matter in the hands of the ombudsman, known here as the public protector
The letter was inked before Gordhan announced he would not present himself for questions under warning by the Hawks, who are investigating the formation of a special spy unit at the South African Revenue Service after Gordan left as taxman to become Finance Minister.
Zuma has issued a statement saying he has full confidence in Gordhan but he doesn’t have the power to stop the Hawks investigation.
Civil society members were at the Hawks headquarters in Pretoria yesterday (Thursday) when three of Gordhan’s colleagues made warning statements.
Their lawyer said no charges were preferred.
Former Constitutional Court judge Johan Kriegler says there’s not a shred of evidence against Gordhan