Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 12-10-2016
Economists says the decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to charge finance minister Pravin Gordhan ahead of his mid-term budget and credit ratings expected towards the end of the year could damage the economy.
South Africans were left in shock and the markets reeling yesterday following prosecutors decision to issue Gordhan with a formal summons to appear in court on November 2 for his alleged involvement in fraudulently securing an early retirement payment for former SARS official Ivan Pillay, whom the NPA says didn’t qualify for the payout.
Speaking to Radio Islam economist Dawie Roodt says the decision to charge Gordhan has come at the wrong time.
“I’m more concerned about the timing of all of this because the mini budget of the minister of finance is two weeks away, I’ve analysed the mini-budget and things simply do not look good for the minister of finance.”
At the same time political analyst Max Du Preez told Radio Islam, Zuma would have been fully aware of the political ramifications of the charging of Gordhan which indicates he is becoming increasingly desperate.
“This is I think the desperate kicks of a horse that knows he’s about to pasture. I think the vast majority if not all South Africans know instinctively that the stunt pulled by the National Prosecuting Authority yesterday was blatant by the Zuma cabal to get their hands on treasury, to get rid of Pravin Gordhan.”
Du Preez indicates that while there are 783 charges against Zuma, a possible ratings downgrade by agencies a possible firing of Gordhan and Mcebisi Jonas in a cabinet reshuffle, Zuma who is visiting Kenya has been painted in a different light by local newspapers in that country.
“We don’t have the answers because our president is dancing in Kenya with the newspapers in Kenya this morning saying ‘look this man is such a talented dancer’. For Pete’s sake we don’t need a dancer we need a president. Our country is tearing itself apart.”
Gordhan’s lawyers say the fraud charge against him defies all logic while he says he will stay on to do his job as President Jacob Zuma again affirms his faith in him while big business, parts of civil society and sections of the ANC are showing their support for him.
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