Cool Gordhan turns to lawyers
Scathing open letter from president’s son
FORMER finance minister Pravin Gordhan has referred the attacks on him by Duduzane Zuma to his lawyers to deal with.
Gordhan was yesterday responding to a scathing attack by President Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, over what he called the former minister’s attempts to block the sale of assets of the Guptas, his business partners.
Gordhan has been vocal about state capture and warned last week the Guptas were trying to flee the country after the sale of Tegeta to a Swiss-based company.
This came after the Gupta family sold another company to Mzwanele Manyi, who has been a supporter of the family.
The Guptas sold Tegeta for R2.9 billion, and its media companies for R450 million.
Gordhan said he would not respond to Duduzane’s attack as his lawyers would handle the matter.
In an open letter to Gordhan, Duduzane accused him of a string of claims, including colluding with the banks to close down his accounts.
He urged Gordhan to stop attacking him and the Guptas as this further damaged his reputation and destroyed the chances of selling the Gupta family’s companies.
He said Gordhan had been accusing them of state capture, but had not produced evidence. Duduzane said Gordhan had defended businesses and the banks in the country.
He said there had been no evidence of corruption against him and the Guptas, but Gord- han continued to make a noise, said Duduzane.
“You are a conspiracy theorist who failed as a minister of this great country. You grandstand in Parliament and embarrass this country. Do you not think that the people of this country can see what you are doing?” said Duduzane.
“People are innocent until proven guilty; take me to court if you think you have a case,” he said.
“Also, you never, ever, want to acknowledge this, but the Gupta family and I have consistently welcomed a judicial commission of inquiry into all state capture,” he said.
President Jacob Zuma has said he will appoint a commission of inquiry.
The SACP became the latest party to say at the weekend the inquiry should not be delayed. The party wants it to be appointed immediately.
Appoint
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated in Parliament last week, during question time, that it was up to Zuma to appoint a commission, as provided for in the constitution.
The ANC has also said it supports a commission of inquiry into state capture.
Some of the ministers have said those implicated, including cabinet members, must clear their names in the commission, but if found guilty, should be dealt with harshly.
Duduzane warned Gordhan that if he continued to attack him and the Guptas, he would take legal action because this would impact on the sale of their companies.