Zwane jumped gun on Gupta bank probe
Minister’s spokesman reveals himself as source of confusion as cabinet remains silent on judicial inquiry
MINERALS Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane might have jumped the gun on the apparent decision of the cabinet to set up a judicial inquiry to probe the banks for closing down the accounts of the politically connected Gupta family.
In a statement yesterday, the cabinet did not mention any decision on the matter. Attempts to reach acting government spokesman Donald Liphoko hit a brick wall.
Zwane’s spokesman Martin Madlala admitted he caused the confusion.
He said he had since received clarification that it was a reflection of the cabinet position.
However, he did not say whether this meant it was a cabinet decision or not.
“The statement I made was on behalf of the minister. I have no mandate to speak on behalf of cabinet,” he said.
In its statement, the cabinet did not talk about a decision to set up a judicial inquiry to probe the banks and other financial institutions for closing down the Guptas family’s accounts.
The statement said the cabinet and President Jacob Zuma affirmed their support for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in the work he was doing to revive the economy.
“Cabinet equally called on all parties to respect and co-operate with state organs tasked with law enforcement,” said Cabinet.
The cabinet expressed concern about public spats between the Hawks and Gordhan.
Other ministers in cabinet, including Des van Rooyen of Co-operative Governance, have publicly attacked Gordhan for refusing to co-operate with the Hawks.
The cabinet called for restraint among members of the executive.
Gordhan has said he would not hand himself over to the Hawks as he had committed no offence.
Zwane’s decision to issue a statement in which he explicitly made it clear that Gordhan was not part of the meetings of the Inter-Ministerial Committee investigating the conduct of the banks remained unexplained.
Meanwhile, the Helen Suzman Foundation and Freedom Under Law have given the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority an ultimatum on Gordhan.
The deadline the two organisations gave for a response was Monday and if Gordhan was charged they should be given 20 days notice to apply for an interdict in court.
Gordhan has been under pressure in recent weeks with threats of arrest by the Hawks and charges being filed by the NPA.
The Helen Suzman Foundation and Freedom Under Law said there was no basis to charge the finance minister.
“Freedom Under Law and Helen Suzman Foundation contend that the administration of justice, the economy and the republic itself have already been gravely endangered by the Hawks and NPA’s actions against the minister and that the undertakings they seek are urgently required if further calamitous consequences are to be avoided,” the two organisations said.