Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan says efforts by Tom Moyane to cross-examine him at the Zondo commission of inquiry are part of a broader campaign against the ANC.
Gordhan was answering questions in Parliament on Wednesday. EFF MP Nazier Paulsen asked Gordhan why he did not wish to allow the former SARS commissioner to cross-examine him at the state capture inquiry, and if he had anything to hide.
Moyane had applied to the commission to cross-examine Gordhan, who had appeared before the commission in 2018 and testified that former president Jacob Zuma had pushed for Moyane to be made commissioner of the revenue service, News24 reported.
The application was heard by the Zondo commission earlier on Wednesday. Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo reserved his decision on the application.
'There is a lot to confess'
Responding to Paulsen in the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, Gordhan said he had nothing to hide.
"Honorable Paulsen, you know, from your very nice smile, that there is nothing to hide," Gordhan said.
"You also know that this is part of a broader political campaign against individuals in the ANC and the ANC itself."
Gordhan called out Paulsen, saying he had knowledge of what happened at VBS Mutual Bank, which was looted to serve individuals as opposed to the developmental interests it was intended for. Gordhan challenged Paulsen to go to the Zondo commission to confess his sins "because there is a lot to confess".
Paulsen interjected and said he knew nothing about VBS.
Gordhan reiterated that he himself had nothing to hide. "We cannot be participants and cooperate in processes that will not advance the Zondo commission's work," he said.
Gordhan stressed that the Zondo commission is tasked with finding out who is responsible for state capture. At some stage prosecutions should follow, he said, adding that it was important to recover monies lost, so that these funds can be used for their intended purpose of development.