Molefe could become minister of finance

Ngqulunga could not be reached for comment yesterday.

ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu refused to comment, saying cabinet appointments remained the prerogative of the president.

“I can’t respond on behalf of the president. That is an unfair question to the chief whip.”

Spokesman for Parliament Moloto Mothapo said in a statement: “Parliament wishes to acknowledge the nomination of Mr Brian Molefe, to fill a vacancy on the North West list of ANC (African National Congress) Members of Parliament.”

Mothapo said the presiding officers of Parliament would decide when to swear in Molefe.

Former public protector Thuli Madonsela’s report “State of Capture” raised questions about coal deals between Eskom and a company controlled by the wealthy Gupta family, who are friends with President Jacob Zuma.

Zuma and the Guptas have denied any wrongdoing.

The report called for a judicial inquiry into the allegations of corruption. Zuma has applied to the courts to set aside the report, arguing that the public protector does not have the right to compel him to establish a judicial inquiry. His application is yet to be heard.

At the time of the report’s release, Eskom said it was also considering a court challenge.

Molefe is an enthusiastic proponent of contested plans to build new nuclear reactors to boost South Africa’s electricity generation capacity.

Gordhan’s current term has been marred by political tension, including an abortive attempt to charge him with fraud last year.

News that Molefe was heading for Parliament did not go down well with the opposition DA, which had pressed criminal charges against him after the release of Madonsela’s report..

“He is an ethically compromised ‘Zupta’ buddy with corruption clouds hanging over his head,” said DA chief whip John Steenhuisen. “This adds credence to the idea that Molefe has his eyes on the finance portfolio in the cabinet, and that a cabinet reshuffle is imminent, just days before Pravin Gordhan is due to present the Budget.”

He said the nomination indicated the ANC did not care about fighting corruption. A few months ago the ANC brought businessman Sifiso Buthelezi to Parliament, leading to speculation this new MP would succeed Gordhan.

However, more than a year later Buthelezi remains in the back benches of Parliament and is a member of the finance committee in the National Assembly.

‘This adds credence to

Gordhan’s job has been on the line for months, but Zuma has denied a cabinet reshuffle. At a pre-Sona luncheon last week with the captains of industry in Cape Town Zuma denied he planned to make changes to his cabinet.

Gordhan returned to the Treasury in December 2015 after the ill-fated appointment of Des van Rooyen as finance minister. That decision wiped off more than R500 billion from the market. – Additional reporting by ANA and Reuters