The Hawks are probing SA's three largest cellphone companies for allegedly handing over records apparently used to spy on South African Revenue Service (SARS) staff, reports the Sunday Independent.
According to the newspaper, MTN, Vodacom and Cell C are being investigated along with local tobacco manufacturer Carnilix, its directors and private investigator Andre Grundling.
The Sunday Independent says SARS has laid a charge with the Hawks against the telcos, which are alleged to have supplied Carnilix with cellphone records used to spy on the taxman.
The paper says the probe has been confirmed by SARS and the Hawks, but the operators were not aware of the charges. It says Carnilix allegedly spied on, bribed and threatened SARS investigators.
Carnilix, reportedly SA's largest independent tobacco manufacturer, was also not aware of the charges. Its lawyer, Stephen Wingate-Pearse of KWP Attorneys, is quoted as saying the company would need the charge sheet before commenting.
The paper quotes Vodacom spokesman Richard Boorman as saying it only hands information over in accordance with strict legal rules, but will investigate if information was obtained irregularly. Cell C said it only provided information to authorities under a court order.
MTN said it could only comment once it had seen the details in the charges.
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