Gordhan innocent till proved guilty, says cabinet
DESPITE glaring divisions in President Jacob Zuma’s executive, the cabinet says it unanimously backs Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his battles with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said yesterday that Gordhan was innocent until proved otherwise. He said this was a principled position in line with the country’s laws and the constitution.
When asked whether it had been a unanimous cabinet decision, as some ministers have openly come out against Gordhan, including Co-operative Governance Minister Des van Rooyen, Radebe said the cabinet backed Gordhan.
When the cabinet discussed the issue of Gordhan with the NPA, it was based on the constitutional provisions of presumption of innocence until proved otherwise, he said.
“Cabinet has affirmed its support for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who under section 35 of the constitution is innocent until proven otherwise by a court of law,” said Radebe.
Cabinet discussions on Gordhan did not look into the merits of the case, he added.
This week, three ministers openly came out in support of Gordhan and said the charges against him were baseless.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi and Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom backed Gordhan.
Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel has also supported his cabinet colleague.
Van Rooyen was the first minister to openly challenge Gordhan to subject himself to prosecution by the NPA.
Radebe told the media that the cabinet had not discussed the charges Gordhan faced.
“We never discussed the charges. We discussed the principle that the minister of finance is innocent until proven guilty. That is why he will be delivering the MediumTerm Budget Policy statement,” he said.
Radebe also expressed concern about the possibility of a downgrade in December.
Economists and experts have warned of a downgrade if the infighting in the government continued and if structural reforms in the economy were not implemented.
“We are concerned about the possibility of a downgrade, that is why the president appointed Gordhan and (Business Unity South Africa president) Jabu Mabuza to go on a roadshow to avert a downgrade,” he said.
Rating agencies will be in the country next month to conduct another review before they announce their results in December. In the last review in June, when South Africa escaped a downgrade, the rating agencies warned the country to get its act together.
But the infighting in the government has not helped the situation.
The downgrade could have severe consequences for South Africa. It would be difficult for the government to borrow money from the international market, investors would leave the country and unemployment would increase.
Brazil and Russia, which are two of South Africa’s
‘We are concerned about a possible downgrade’
partners in Brics, were downgraded by the rating agencies a few months ago.