Who will deliver budget?

As rumours flew around that former finance minister Pravin Gordhan was likely to return to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet, his close allies kept mum about whether he would come back or not.

Social media was filled with speculation about Gordhan’s return as minister of finance or public enterprises.

One of the lists circulating put him in the public enterprises ministry and former ANC treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize as finance minister.

But this could not be confirmed as Gordhan’s allies were keeping their cards close to their chests. One described it as “fake news”.

But a debate among Ramaphosa allies indicated that although they were unsure of Gordhan’s return, they were confident current Minister of Finance Malusi Gigaba would not be delivering the budget on Wednesday.

A source said Ramaphosa would choose from the group of ministers who have dealt with the budget before, such as Gordhan, Nhlanhla Nene and former deputy finance minister mcebisi jonas.

the state-owned enterprises are where the problem lies.

“But if he is reappointed into the finance ministry, he might stay there until the 2018 election while grooming the next minister,” the source said.

Current Finance Minister Gigaba said outside parliament that South Africa would benefit from a wave of positive market sentiment under Ramaphosa and that the country should keep riding this wave after the change of leadership.

Asked if he would remain in his post, Gigaba said he served at the pleasure of the president who had the prerogative to both appoint and disappoint ministers.