Will Zuma clear the air over Gordhan?

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma is under pressure to clear the air on whether he will fire Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan after the medium term budget policy statement is presented in Parliament this week.

Gordhan will be tabling his mini budget on Wednesday.

But before Gordhan faces the nation, Zuma will have to answer the recurring question about his cabinet reshuffle.

Zuma will be in the National Council of Provinces tomorrow to answer the question about Gordhan.

Speculation has been rife over the past few months Zuma wants to fire Gordhan and replace him.

ANC backbencher Sifiso Buthelezi and Eskom chief executive Brian Molefe have in the past been touted as Gordhan’s replacements at the Treasury, but Zuma and the two men have denied this.

Zuma has the prerogative to hire and fire ministers.

The question has been raised with Zuma In the National Council of Provinces and the president’s answer will clear the air.

It has been months since the issue of the cabinet reshuffle has been reported on, and each time Zuma has kept denying making changes to his Executive.

Economists have warned that replacing Gordhan would destabilise the country as it was seeking to avoid a downgrade in December.

Ratings agencies will be in the country next month to conduct a review after the one in June, when South Africa escaped a downgrade.

The business community has warned against removing Gordhan, saying this would disrupt the work he has done since the beginning of the year to reignite growth in the economy.

Gordhan was in the US recently to woo investors.

It was reported investors were sitting on a R600 billion cash pile to invest in the economy. Gordhan has given them assurances on stability and policy certainty.

But Zuma has been accused by some in the ANC and civil society of trying to remove Gordhan. Zuma has denied claims he wants to fire his finance minister.

The president has assured the country there will be no cabinet reshuffle and that he has full confidence in his min isters.

His reply in the National Council of Provinces tomorrow will set the record straight and give a clear indication about Gordhan’s future.

Gordhan has said in the past he was not appointed by Zuma and served at the pleasure of the president.

This was an indication that if Zuma wanted to remove him, he would not resist.

ZUMA WILL BE IN NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES TOMORROW