The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has referred inquiries about reports that the Hawks held a senior SARS official hostage in a boardroom for several hours to the law enforcement agency itself. A video clip and media reports on Thursday indicated SARS deputy director of law Vlok Symington was locked in a boardroom in the SARS head office while the Hawks and SARS boss Tom Moyane’s bodyguards attempted to get him to make an affidavit in the fraud case against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. SARS said on Thursday evening it had noted the media reports and circulated video material. "To the extent that the matter relates to members of the Hawks the enquiries must be directed to the relevant law enforcement agency‚" it said in a brief statement. "Where SARS employees are concerned a full investigation will be conducted and a public statement issued." The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) confirmed earlier that Symington had opened a case of kidnapping with it.
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