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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Speculation and fear kicked up on Monday, when the\u00a0president cancelled an international investor roadshow, and ordered Gordhan and Jonas back to the country \u201curgently\u201d.<\/p>\n
Upon landing back in the country, Gordhan immediately went to Luthuli House to meet with Mantashe.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
Kathrada passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning at the Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
Malema added that during the discussion Mantashe confirmed that Zuma wants Brian Molefe to be appointed finance minister.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n