It’s just Ivan Pillay’s luck to be married to investigative journalist Evelyn Groenink, bestselling author of Incorruptible: The Story of the Murders of Dulcie September, Anton Lubowski and Chris Hani. She tells the story of their lives apart and then together. From Evelyn’s time in the Dutch anti-apartheid movement to her move to Lusaka in 1990, and from the politicisation of a young Ivan Pillay in Merebank, KZN, who joins the ANC and goes into exile, to the crossing of their paths in Zambia and their falling in love.
Pillay was, during the Zuma years, a leader of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) when a smear campaign was conducted against him. The smear was that Pillay set up a ‘rogue unit’ of investigators at the tax agency. He speaks here for the first time, of the days of exile and working with Oliver Tambo; of Operation Vula; the return home; and most tellingly of his time at SARS and the insidious campaign against him and others in the top layers of what once was a world-class tax institution.
The story pulls back the curtains on a party and state which once held the moral high ground, but was debased. As broadcaster and author Redi Tlhabi says: ‘Weaving history and contemporary politics, from Natal to Russia, Lusaka to Amsterdam, this is the story of anti-apartheid stalwart Ivan – is that even his name? – Pillay. For the Unlikely Mr Rogue, who will defy friend and foe in the fight for principle and ethics, his vindication is simply the correct outcome.’
Gutsy. The punches come straight from the shoulder, leaving a lot of blood on the floor.Mac Maharaj Pillay’s roller coaster journey from the trenches in exile to heading SARS to becoming Mr Rogue…captivating, unmissable and a prescribed read.Jacques Pauw Sympathetic, frank, with a keen eye and sharp pen, Comrade Groenink
Synopsis The story of Ivan Pillay, who went from an enemy of the apartheid state to enemy of the State Capture brigade under Jacob Zuma, is told by his partner, Evelyn Groenink, whom he met in October 1990, in Lusaka, Zambia. Pillay, coordinator of Operation Vula, was then still a
Interview with Ivan by Natasha Marrian for Business Day: Reparations have been offered to current and former Sars staff to right the wrongs of the Moyane era. But is it enough? Read it here.
In Part I, we argued that the most effective way to combat corruption is not to implement a separate anti-corruption plan, but to integrate anti-corruption measures into making our institutions functional and perform far better than they are now. Read Part II by Ivan Pillay, Sridharan Kesavan and Yolisa Pikie
It is often thought that Dulcie September, Anton Lubowski and Chris Hani were assassinated by apartheid forces simply because they were freedom fighters. But ‘Incorruptible,’ a nail-bitingly thrilling reflection of Evelyn Groenink’s painstaking research over the past 30 years, shows the truth is different. All three tried to keep their organisations, the ANC and SWAPO, free from wrongdoing. They stood against mafias who had invaded their movement’s inner circles. They were not only brave anti-apartheid fighters: they were incorruptible.
Evelyn Groenink was interviewed on SAFM Literature about her book Incorruptible. Listen here: Content hosted by iono.fm
Shaun de Waal reviewed Incorruptible for the Mail and Guardian. Read it here: Apartheid killings and awkward questions Groenink may have finally published the book she was unable to bring out
Evelyn Groenink spoke to Jeremy Maggs on eNCA about her book Incorruptible. Watch it here:
The Cape Times covered the Cape Town launch of Incorruptible. Read it here: Struggle greats died for honour The launch of the book Incorruptible – The Story of the Murders of Dulcie
