Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma on Monday dismissed reports that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s job was in jeopardy while at the same time insisting he did not have the power to fire SA Revenue Service (Sars) boss Tom Moyane without following the correct legal channels.
“The difficulty in the relationship between the Minister of Finance and the Sars Commissioner is being dealt with through the correct channels using the correct legal prescripts,” Zuma’s office said in a statement.
“The President began discussions with Minister Gordhan and Mr Moyane on this matter long before the State of the Nation Address and Budget 2016.”
Last week, Gordhan threatened legal action to protect himself and his ministry from a group of people intent on “disturbing institutions”, after confirming that he had received a letter from the Hawks and that his relationship with Sars commissioner Tom Moyane was hostile.
Zuma said calls for him to dismiss Moyane were “unhelpful”.
“Measures are being put in place to address the issues responsibly and amicably, for the benefit of all,” the presidency said.
“We urge interested parties to exercise calm and restraint and allow space for the matters to be resolved using correct channels.”
Zuma went on to rubbish claims that he was at odds with Gordhan over the Moyane matter.
“The media has incorrectly reported, among other things, that there is a war at Sars and that the President and the Minister of Finance are somehow at war. This is a total fabrication and mischievous sensationalism.”
Last week, Moyane was noticeably absent from budget-related events and media briefings, with Gordhan later admitting to tensions with the Sars boss.
Gordhan last week stated the Hawks had no reason to investigate him, and claimed the letter sent to him by the elite investigating unit was aimed at intimidating and distracting him on the eve of the 2016 Budget – a sentiment shared by ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe who said the ruling party was fully behind Gordhan.
“I can categorically state that the Hawks have no reason to ‘investigate’ me,” Gordhan said in a statement on Friday.
The Sars commissioner has since his appointment by Zuma 18 months ago been driving the narrative that an illicit spy unit had operated within the revenue service while it fell under Gordhan, who headed Sars for 10 years before serving his first stint as finance minister from 2009 to 2014.
Gordhan denied this last year and on Friday stressed that an investigative unit established while he headed Sars had been entirely legitimate.
African News Agency
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