South Africa: Prosecuting Authorities Drop Charges Against Gordhan, Others
The NPA has withdrawn charges of fraud against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, former SARS boss Oupa Magashula and former SARS deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay.
"I am satisfied that Mr Magashula, Mr Pillay and minister Gordhan did not have the requisite intention to act unlawfully," NPA head Shaun Abrahams told reporters in Pretoria on Monday.
"In the circumstances, I have decided to overturn the decision to prosecute..."
The announcement comes amid allegations that politics are at play in the case against Gordhan.
Abrahams announced on October 11 that the three had been summoned to court on fraud charges relating to Pillay's early retirement, approved by Gordhan and Magashula.
ANC Welcomes Move to Drop Charges Against Ghordan
The African National Congress has welcomed NPA head Shaun Abrahams' decision to drop the fraud charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, as well as Ivan Pillay and Oupa Magashula.
"The ANC always believed in the innocence of Comrade Pravin Gordhan, hence our unwavering support since fraud charges were preferred against him. Actions of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to charge Comrade Pravin Gordhan and others, have had a negative impact on the economy and created unnecessary speculations about the real motive," spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.
He called on the appointing authority to engage the NPA leadership to avoid a repeat of this and to protect the independence and integrity of the NPA.
"Now that the charges have been dropped, we must continue to build on the trajectory of economic growth as envisaged and to create jobs as outlined by the Minister of Finance, Comrade Pravin Gordhan in the recent Medium Term Budget Policy Statement."
Meanwhile, Congress of the People spokesperson Dennis Bloem said they were not surprised by the decision to withdraw the charges