Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia – 2016/03/26

It has been alleged that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Johan Rupert, Maria Ramos and Trevor Manuel following the appointment of Des Van Rooyen and the subsequent appointment of Pravin Gordhan as Minister of Finance.

However the Deputy Presidents spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa says Ramaphosa categorically denies meeting any stakeholders or businessmen to discuss the appointment of cabinet ministers.

“The only time Deputy President Ramaphosa engaged himself with the matter of the finance ministry was during the meeting of the top six ANC officials with President Jacob Zuma on the Sunday leading to the appointment of Pravin Gordhan as the finance minister”.

Mamoepa says that it is unfortunate that those who peddled these falsehoods did not find it within their obligation to verify the facts with the office of the Deputy President before setting on publishing the story.

“It is our conviction that those who published these untruths will find it within their conviction to place correct facts at the disposal of the public”.

Mamoepa says he doesn’t feel the Presidency is under attack.

“Our responsibility is to put and place correct facts at the disposal of the public”.

In recent weeks the “Gupta State Capture” has caught major news headlines around the country with The Financial Times alleging that shortly before President Jacob Zuma fired finance minister Nhlanhla Nene, members of the Gupta family met with Deputy Minister of Finance Mcebisi Jonas and had asked if he were interested in the job.

The Sunday Times has reported that Mr Jonas was offered the job on two conditions: that he fire four members of the Treasury, and support a contentious nuclear-procurement programme.

The problem is that in neither case were the people making the allegations named.

Spokesmen for the Gupta family not only deny that the offer was made, but deny that the meeting ever happened.

Twitter: @thedabhelia