State must put SA’s interests first

THE STAND-OFF between Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and the Hawks has dire implications for our country.

The allegations of the minister knowing about a “rogue” unit that operated within his tenure needs solid evidence and maybe needs to be tested in our courts of law.

If the harassment of the minister continues, the volatile rand is going to depreciate further intensifying poverty. A credit rating downgrade to junk status seems probable.

The timing of the investiga- tion just after the local government elections seems strategic.

It comes after a recent cabinet lekgotla gave President Jacob Zuma control over spending in state-owned enterprises.

The actions of the Hawks have again created instability in the financial markets.

When this happens, investors take their money out of the country.

The poor are affected the most as a result of increases in commodity prices.

The minister needs to be left alone to do his job. His apex priority is to avoid a downgrade by rating agencies. This cannot be achieved if his mind is unsettled.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has supported the minister saying his integrity was unquestionable.

He also said when a government works well, it should not be a government that wages war against itself.

Let’s hope sanity prevails in the interests of our country. Vijay Surujpal