The Hawks are targeting an alleged Sars “rogue” unit which was created to monitor various people in various ways for various reasons – or, in other words: a controversial High Risk Investigative Unit, which also stands accused of illegal spying tactics. But now, after targeting Pravin Gordhan just days before his anticipated Budget Speech in an attempt to put the rand right, controversial Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza is gunning for prosecutor Gerrie Nel.

The probe has to do with a possible contravention of the Public Finance Management Act after he allegedly approved a payment of R1.5 million to a member of the unit to install spying equipment in the offices of the National Prosecuting Authority offices.

A former Scorpions investigator, Andrew Leask, is also under investigation for the same reason. The name of the member to whom the money was paid is known to the Sunday Independent. The money was paid into his wife’s account.

The highly sophisticated spying equipment, which was meant to ensure there was no breach of security in the offices of Scorpions investigators as well as the then-national director of public prosecutions (NDPP), Vusi Pikoli.

They were dealing at the time with sensitive investigations against then-police commissioner Jackie Selebi and convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti.

Vusi Pikolo said he did authorise the upgrade of security in his offices and the offices of the investigators.

It had been decided to implement counter-measures because of the sensitivity of the case they were dealing with.

The CCTV cameras and other equipment were installed to pick up if there was any breach of security.

The project, called “Sunday Evenings”, monitored the Scorpions meetings because apparently then president Thabo Mbeki wanted to know what the Scorpions had against Salebi.

It has emerged in the letter addressed to the Minister of State Security, David Mahlobo, from Ntlemeza, that the equipment was used for illegal bugging of NPA offices and to monitor meetings of Scorpions investigators involved in Operation “Bad Guys”.

According to Ntlemeza’s letter, one of the unit members used former president Thabo Mbeki’s name to compel members of the unit to do as he wanted them to.

Three companies – Protech Security Consultants, Graphic Image Technologies and African Communication System – had been recommended as having the required highly sophisticated equipment.

Funny how this comes as tensions between Praving Gordhan and Sars Commissioner Tom Moyane have become a national talking point.

[source: iol]