Jacob Zuma’s deputy distances himself from the president’s decision to sack Gordhan
South African deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa has distanced himself from the sacking of the country’s former finance minister Pravin Gordhan, saying he is “unhappy about the firing of Gordhan and his deputy.”
Presiden Jacob Zuma reshuffled his cabinet on Thursday night, replacing Gordhan with former Home Affairs minister Malusi Gigaba.
“I think it is totally unacceptable that he fired someone like Gordhan, who has served the country excellently, for his own gain and survival,” News24 reports Ramaphosa to say.
The deputy president said he had already expressed his dissatisfaction to Zuma. “I also told him I was going to express my unhappiness to the public at large.”
“I find it very difficult to believe that someone like Gordhan, who has served the country with everything he has and so much pride and total honour, planned to besmirch Zuma and his government overseas. The actions Zuma has against Gordhan is based solely on assumptions.”
President Zuma on Tuesday ordered Godhan to return to South Africa immediately from an investor road show in the United Kingdom.
Asked whether he would resign from his position, Ramaphosa said he would not do such a thing.
“No. I will stay to serve the people. I know there are many of my colleagues and friends who are also unhappy.
“What just happened is an absolute upset – to get rid of a man with great capabilities, an intelligent man who served his country and his people well, in such an unsolicited and unexpected manner.”
The new finance minister Gigaba was not a favourite to replace Gordhan, as many thought of him as having little background in financial matters.
