We are just doing our job, the Hawks said on Friday in reaction to the political turmoil that has erupted following its investigation into Finance Minister Pravin Grodhan.
Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, Hawks spokesperson, said he was “shocked” over allegations of political bias at the Hawks.
Since the saga began earlier this year, there have been claims that the Hawks’s pursuit of its investigation into Gordhan is a smokescreen to allow President Jacob Zuma access to the Treasury.
Gordhan was this week asked to report to the Hawks’ offices. These events sent the rand into a downward spiral.
Zuma, who is traveling abroad, said in a statement by the presidency that the Hawks were independent and that he could not interfere in its investigations.
Mulaudzi has vehemently denied that the Hawks were being used in a political struggle.
“How many cases are we dealing with every day? A lot. How many high profile cases do we investigate? A lot. It’s our mandate and we are just doing our job. We deny these allegations. We are shocked. ”
Mulaudzi would not say whether Gordhan’s refusal to report to the Hawks meant that he would be arrested.
“I’m not at liberty to say how this will unfold. Let’s leave the process to unfold. We are not going to be drawn into a public spat.”