Gloves off as Ramaphosa condemns Gordhan axing as ‘unacceptable’

At midnight yesterday morning, President Jacob Zuma reshuffled his cabinet – ousting finance minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas – shifting the country into a furore.

Zuma’s announcement came a day after the funeral of struggle veteran Ahmed Kathrada, who a year ago penned a letter asking the president to step down.

Gordhan, who was recognised at Kathrada’s funeral for standing by the same principles Kathrada stood for, was replaced by former home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba‚ who spoke against struggle veterans who voiced their opposition against Zuma.

Jonas, who once divulged he was offered the job as finance minister by the Guptas, was replaced by Sfiso Buthelezi, who was made an MP in March last year.

Speaking against the decision for the first time Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa voiced his “strong objection” to the axing of the ministers – stating it was “totally, totally unacceptable”.

Ramaphosa is one of the foremost candidates to replace Zuma when SA heads to the polls in 2019.

“The president has effected his Cabinet reshuffle. Before doing so‚ he met with ANC officials. It was just a process of informing us of his decision. It was not a consultation because he came with a ready-made list,” Ramaphosa said.

“I raised my concern and objection on the removal of the minister of finance largely because he was being removed based on an intelligence report that I believe had unsubstantiated allegations about the minister of finance and his deputy going to London to mobilise financial markets against our country.

“Now that I find totally, totally unacceptable that a person who served our county with such distinction would do something like that.

“And it reminded me of my own situation in 2001, when there was an intelligence report that said I was involved in a plot to overthrow the government. When this one came out it disturbed me greatly … I went to Nelson Mandela who said: ‘Don't panic, I will handle this matter’.”

Ramaphosa dubbed the contents in the report as being “spurious allegations”.

“I told the president I would not agree with him on his reasoning. I told him I would articulate this publicly.”

He said he would not resign.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe also weighed in on the situation saying that he was not happy about the changes.

Professor Daryl Glaser, head of political studies at Wits University said the opposing commentary from Ramaphosa and Mantashe showed conflict in the ruling party had reached a new intensity.

“Zuma felt people were going to move against him and he had to consolidate his position.

“It does look like things are at a head. Clearly the Zuma faction has been captured and are intertwined with the Guptas. There is an entire patronage issue around Zuma and the Guptas,” he said.