Damaging silence

IF PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma is going to fire Pravin Gordhan as his finance minister, he should get on with it. Gordhan returned home prematurely on Tuesday, cutting short meetings meant to market South Africa to investors in the UK and the US. Zuma ordered him back, but we still don’t know why.

What we do know is that Gordhan was never Zuma’s first choice as finance minister.

It was under the Zuma presidency that Gordhan was moved out of finance and replaced by Nhlanhla Nene. About 18 months later, Zuma sacked Nene and appointed Des van Rooyen as the finance minister.

The fallout of that decision is well recorded and the crippling fear and threats of a downgrade to junk status hang over our heads.

Gordhan was subsequently brought in to calm matters. He succeeded despite attempts to undermine him. In fact, it is remarkable that Gordhan has survived this long.

AS PRESIDENT of the republic, Zuma does not need to explain who he hires or fires from his cabinet. If he wants Gordhan out, he should say so. But as citizens of this beloved country Zuma owes us a little bit more.

Gordhan is one of our most respected politicians the world over and having him in cabinet and on international roadshows does more for South Africa than the constant juggling of ministers – especially those in one of the most important portfolios in Parliament.

While many people are resistant to change, the uncertainty caused by Zuma’s silence and inaction is far more damaging. Perhaps Zuma should do the noble thing and not hire and fire willy nilly, instead do what is best for South Africa and not just a few who are in the political good books of Number 1. There are ministers who have failed in their portfolios – most recently, the Constitutional Court found Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini responsible for the grants payout crisis at Sassa, and yet, she survives Zuma’s axe.

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi was lambasted by Parliament over the crisis at the SABC, yet she too remains in her position.

Gordhan, however, has done nothing to deserve the chop.