Churches and civil society query Nene’s axing in letter to Zuma
THE SOUTH African Council of Churches (SACC) yesterday said it raised its concerns about former Finance minister Nhlanhla Nene’s removal from office in a letter to President Jacob Zuma, and requested a meeting with the president.
“The performance of the rand in the last few days will undoubtedly affect all, but the poor are likely to be hit hardest… We anticipate a higher cost of living, affecting the cost of food, transport, clothing and energy.
“This will lead to higher inflation, and poor people, the majority in our country, will watch an already small basket of goods shrink even further,” said SACC general-secretary Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana.
“This form of manufactured economic oppression can not be condoned.”
Ahead of the launch of “The South Africa we pray for” national campaign for healing, reconciliation, the redress of poverty and inequality and economic transformation, the SACC said it would be “inconsistent without prayer and action campaign, were we not to interrogate this decision” to replace the Minister of Finance.
As the repercussions of Nene’s removal continued, not only on the financial markets and economic environment, the council’s letter was the latest action by civil society and business.
In an open letter noting their “grave concern” 22 high-profile South Africans, including Professor Barney Pityana and other academics like Dr Mills Soko and Dr Mzukisi Qobo, former Nedbank group chairman and businessman Dr Reuel Khoza, former prosecutions boss Vusi Pikoli, ex top level civil servant and ANC member Mavuso Msimang and ex Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi,