RAMAPHOSA BATS FOR PRAVIN
DEPUTY President Cyril Ramaphosa has come out in support of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in a move seen as a slap in the face for backers of President Jacob Zuma.
In a statement issued late yesterday, Ramaphosa offered his “moral and political support” to Gordhan “in view of the legal processes unfolding around him”.
“Events of the past few days regarding summonses served on Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan have been of concern to many South Africans across all sectors of society.
“As a member of the national executive, I lend my support to minister Gordhan as he faces charges brought against him by the National Prosecuting Authority. I have known and worked with minister Gordhan both in government and during the days of the prosecution of CONCERN: Cyril Ramaphosa the struggle for a non-racial, non-sexist democratic society,” Ramaphosa said.
His statement came as Zuma supporters publicly backed the National Prosecuting Authority’s fraud case against Gordhan, whom they accuse of working in cahoots with “white monopoly capital”.
But Ramaphosa yesterday used his stature as the secondmost-powerful politician in the country to vouch for Gordhan.
“I have no doubt about his commitment in building a better South Africa for all. Like all South Africans, minister Gordhan remains subject to the laws of the country, and retains his right to remain silent, to be free from abuse of process and to a legal defence.”
The NPA’s decision to charge Gordhan has sparked fears that he will be forced out of his ministry before he tables the medium-term budget policy statement in two weeks.
But Ramaphosa said the fraud case should not distract Gordhan from doing his job.
“The . . . [budget] this month is an important opportunity for us to assess economic conditions and to reassure the investor community that South Africa remains a preferred destination for investments.
“I therefore wish minister Gordhan well as he prepares to deliver the [budget] and hope this challenge will not distract him from this important task.”