Gordhan, Mpofu go head-to-head in fiery cross-examination

Mpofu was representing former South Africa Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Tom Moyane.

Gordhan has implicated Moyane in state capture during his earlier testimony.

On Monday, Mpofu accused Gordhan of being invasive and not answering questions.

Mpofu: "If you accuse someone of being involved in such serious crime without evidence, do you agree that you would be committing a crime of perjury?"

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Gordhan: "I note what you are saying."

Mpofu: "But do you agree?"

Gordhan said he had already taken his oath and took an affirmation when the cross-examination began.

Mpofu: "I ask the questions here Mr Gordhan, you are just a witness, so just chill and answer the question. I am saying if you make statements you cannot back up under oath you are exposing yourself to the crime of perjury.”

Gordhan said there is enough evidence that Moyane was involved in state capture and referred to the report by Judge Robert Nugent who probed matters related to Sars and recommended Moyane be fired.

Nugent's report put Moyane at the center of governance issues at the revenue services.

Mpofu challenged him stating that he cannot rely on the Nugent report.

"Before Mr. Nugent's report did you think Mr. Gordhan was part of state capture or not?"

Gordhan said Moyane did what he wanted at Sars and there was evidence that he refused to account the way in which governance required.

Moyane also accused Gordhan of being arrogant, jealous, racist, and corrupt.

Gordhan rejected these claims, stating that there was no evidence that he was racist based on his involvement in the struggle against the apartheid regime and that he had no reason to be jealous.