Sars hostage drama reflects the rebounding of apartheid era security branch style of work and the re-assertion of its operatives in our police service 

28 October 2016

The South African Communist Party (SACP) condemns in the strongest terms possible the behaviour displayed by the Hawks through the despicable conduct of their officials, in particular Brigadier Nyameka Xaba and company who reportedly caused a hostage scene very recently at the South African Receiver of Revenue (Sars). The SACP is calling on all democratic South Africans to reject and fight against corporate-capture, abuse of state institutions, including private or factional use of public power, corruption and rent-seeking. 

The video material showing aspects of the alleged hostage drama, with senior Sars employee Vlok Symington held against his will, reflects the rebounding not only of the apartheid era security branch style of work but the reassertion of its operatives in our police service. It is clear that they are now discrediting our nascent democratic institutions from within by means of apartheid era security branch style of work and thus weaken them in pursuit of private or factional agendas or the rotten interests of parasitic elite and their corporate-capturers. 

This has clearly been exposed for all to see by its own unravelling in pursuit of the Minister of Finance Comrade Pravin Gordhan at all cost through the appalling manner involving the improper behaviour of the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Mr Shaun Abrahams, the National Director of Public Prosecutions has more reasons to drop the prosecution and stop the persecution of the Minister. This will save the integrity of the NPA.    

The SACP notes that a complaint has been laid with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) in relation to the alleged hostage drama. Based on our own experience relating to matters of jurisdiction and associated technicalities, as the SACP we would advice Symington to also lay a complaint with the Office of the Judge of the Hawks.

Meanwhile, the Hawks must immediately take action against the unbecoming conduct of its officers and Sars Commissioner Tom Moyane must come clean in relation to his involvement in the hostage scandal.

Issued by Alex Mohubetswane Mashilo, National Spokesperson, SACP, 28 October 2016