A businessman wanted in Germany for tax evasion says he gave money to the ANC because `he was interested in politics’, writes Gustav Thiel
A GERMAN citizen who allegedly owes his government R500-million in tax arrears and is fighting his extradition from South Africa claims he has contributed more than R100 000 to the African National Congress’s coffers.
Since making South Africa his home in 1993, Juergen Harksen (36) has been embroiled in a struggle with the South African authorities against extradition to Germany, where he says he faces the possibility of two years’ imprisonment.
The German government started its investigation into Harksen in 1992. No formal extradition agreement exists between South Africa and Germany, but former president FW de Klerk signed an extradition order in 1994 after representations from the Bonn government. De Klerk’s order was overturned in the high court, but President Nelson Mandela then launched an investigation into possible new extradition proceedings.
Harksen says he contributed to the ANC because he was “interested in politics”. He has retained Mandela’s confidant, advocate George Bizos, as his adviser.
An ANC spokesman said Harksen’s claim would have to be investigated, but he had no immediate knowledge of such a donation.
In an exclusive interview with the Mail & Guardian, Harksen insisted that the South African government refuses to listen to him and that he has been unfairly portrayed by the media.
Representatives for the South African and German governments said this week they are not at liberty to discuss details of the ongoing investigation until Harksen’s appeal is heard on August 21 in the Cape Town High Court.
Harksen says he was instructed by his lawyers not to speak to the press, but this only led to negative coverage. “Now I have decided to tell my story and use the press as a last resort.”
He wrote an open letter to Mandela in the form of a full-page advertisement in the Cape Times, in which he expressed his admiration for Mandela and insisted, in 4 000 words, that he is innocent.
Yet Harksen this week expressed dislike of the government and the South African police. “Mandela’s government is faltering and I believe your police force is just terrible. They are doing nothing to fight crime in this country, but concentrate on trying to get me out of the country,” he said.
In spite of this criticism, Harksen wants to settle permanently in South Africa. He rents a luxurious house in the upmarket suburb of Constantia where he lives with his wife, Jeanette, and their three sons. He drives a Jaguar convertible that retails for more than R1-million and has three more expensive cars.
Harksen was known in Germany for his extravagant lifestyle. A German journalist says Harksen threw expensive parties and socialised with the elite of German society.
But Harksen insists that he has no assets in South Africa and has to rely on contributions from his investors. He adds that he is worth more than R4-billion, but cannot use the money while he is being investigated.
He says many of the stories about him started after his wife instituted divorce proceedings in 1995 when she started a relationship with another man. Around the same time, it was reported that Harksen was involved in an affair with a local model, an allegation he denies.
Harksen agreed to the divorce and gave his wife DM1,8-million (R5,4-million) in cash as a provisional settlement. The money was found by two police officers in a locker at the Greenpoint Health and Racquet Club. Harksen says he is now reconciled with his wife. He also insists that all the charges against him are trumped up.
An investment banker, he made his fortune speculating in Norwegian oil. In 1987 he convinced 152 Germans to invest DM97- million in his company, Nord Analyse Hamburg. He promised a return of 1 300% over a 10-year period. Apparently, 148 of the investors are happy to wait until the end of the year to see if there is any return on their investments.