Gordhan will be removed after Kathrada funeral – Malema
Commander in chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema says that finance minister Pravin Gordhan will get the boot – likely on Wednesday, following the funeral of struggle veteran, Ahmed Kathrada.
Malema took to social media on Tuesday evening to reveal what he understands to have transpired in a meeting between Gordhan and ANC secretary general, Gwede Mantashe.
Rumours have been circulating for some time that a cabinet reshuffle is on the cards, with Gordhan and his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas being specific targets for removal.
Speculation and fear kicked up on Monday, when the president cancelled an international investor roadshow, and ordered Gordhan and Jonas back to the country “urgently”.
Upon landing back in the country, Gordhan immediately went to Luthuli House to meet with Mantashe.
Malema, a former member of the ANC, said on Twitter that when Gordhan met with Mantashe, he was told that president Jacob Zuma had decided to reshuffle his Cabinet.
“PG & MJ are going to be removed from the executive,” Malema said, noting that the ANC’s Top Six “respects the Zuma’s prerogative to appoint and dismiss ministers”. “However officials don’t think it’s a good idea,” he added.
Speculation is that the duo may be fired tomorrow evening, following the funeral of Kathrada, Malema continued. “JZ (Jacob Zuma) will make sure that the funeral is not used as a launching pad for a campaign against him.”
Kathrada passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning at the Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg.
Malema added that during the discussion Mantashe confirmed that Zuma wants Brian Molefe to be appointed finance minister.
Molefe resigned as CEO of state energy company, Eskom, late last year amid allegations of his links to the Gupta family in the State of Capture report.
Earlier on Tuesday, Bloomberg, citing three people with knowledge of the matter, said that Zuma told senior leaders of the South African Communist Party (SACP) of his intention to boot Gordhan.
This was followed by reports from Gupta-owned media group, Ann7, saying that the president had informed the rest of the ANC’s Top Six of his decision to axe the minister, and got their approval.
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