By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former SARS official Johan van Loggerenberg stresses that the evidence suggests that Advocate Mkhwebane was “not honest and factual” in her SARS Rogue Unit investigation. Even before she made findings, she condemned it as rogue and suggested it was responsible for the deaths of people, he says.
Van Loggerenberg again points out that Mkhwebane did not disclose that she was in possession of the Inspector-General of Intelligence report about the unit and did not provide it to the people implicated in it.
Charges against three former senior South African Revenue Service (SARS) officials accused of involvement in the so-called rogue unit have been withdrawn.
In a statement issued on Friday by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), it said National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) advocate Shamila Batohi had decided to withdraw charges against Ivan Pillay, Andries Janse van Rensburg and Johan van Loggerenberg.
The committee is now going to view the video in which Mkhwebane refers to SARS high risk investigation unit as a ‘rogue unit’.
The video is now playing. No reaction from Mkhwebane when she is heard saying “rogue unit” for the first time in the video. Mpofu earlier insisted that she referred to it as a “so-called rogue unit”.
Advocate Dali Mpofu, acting on behalf of suspended Mkhwebane, earlier insisted that she referred to it as a “so-called rogue unit”.
Meanwhile Mpofu, has told Parliament’s Section 194 Committee they will call President Cyril Ramaphosa to come and testify before the inquiry that is probing Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office.
Mpofu on Thursday told the inquiry that Ramaphosa should testify due to the allegations he had made against Mkhwebane about her fitness to hold office.
He said they would first write to the president requesting him to come and voluntarily testify, and should he not comply, they might subpoena him to appear.
“We are going to write the president a letter today or tomorrow to ask him, in line with the directives, if he is willing to come voluntarily.
Mpofu also hinted on Thursday that other former presidents might be called to give evidence or testify before the inquiry. But, he did not mention who these witnesses might be.
Livestream Video Below
Video Courtesy of Parliament.