Jackson Mthembu defends Pravin Gordhan against Malema and his EFF ‘bullies’

ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu, in a series of tweets, showed support for Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan in the face of accusations from the EFF ahead of his testimony at the commission of inquiry into state capture.

Mthembu questioned EFF leader Julius Malema’s assertion that Pravin Gordhan was an “enabler of state capture”, saying that if the EFF had any evidence they should “do the right thing and deposit an affidavit to this effect” with the commission, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.

He then went on to say that “comrade” Gordhan had in fact “exposed state capture”, and that it was the actions taken by the minister to clean up the South African Revenue Service (Sars) and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) “that have made him the enemy” of the EFF.

The ANC politician believed the EFF’s claims against Gordhan were “ludicrous”, also taking the party to task for allegedly directing “racial insults” towards the minister.

READ MORE: Why the EFF’s Gordhan conspiracy theories are dangerous

Mthembu added that these claims and insults “started when he acted on corrupt activities at Sars and a number of SOEs” and that through doing this, Gordhan had stepped on some prominent people’s toes.

According to the chief whip, a failure to “stand up against” EFF “bullies” would lead to “many” being afraid to come before Justice Zondo’s commission “to assist the country in stopping this rot”.

He added that he had been in Gordhan’s corner before when times were tough and was showing support for him again “out of principle”.

“I will now await the insults that @EFFSouthAfrica stormtroopers are known for,” he said in the last tweet of his thread.

If the @EFFSouthAfrica and its leader @Julius_S_Malema has any evidence that comrade @pravingordhan is " an enabler of state capture " , let them do the right thing and deposit an affidavit to this effect with the #Commission of Enquiry into state capture .

— Minister Jackson Mthembu (@JacksonMthembu_) November 19, 2018

Actions that comrade @pravingordhan has taken as minister of finance , local government and public enterprises in fact prove that he exposed state capture . We believe its these actions he has taken to clean SARS and SOEs that have made him the enemy of @EFFSouthAfrica .

— Minister Jackson Mthembu (@JacksonMthembu_) November 19, 2018

These ludicrous claims against @pravingordhan and racial insults by the @EFFSouthAfrica started when he acted on corrupt activities at SARS and a number of SOEs and stepping on some prominent peoples toes . The question #SA and all of us must ask is why ? . Why #EFF ?

— Minister Jackson Mthembu (@JacksonMthembu_) November 19, 2018

If we don't stand up against these #EFF bullies , many will be afraid to come before the #StateCapture commission to assist the country in stopping this rot . In the same way I came to @pravingordhan corner during some difficult times , Iam doing so again out of a principle .

— Minister Jackson Mthembu (@JacksonMthembu_) November 19, 2018

I will now await the insults that @EFFSouthAfrica storm troopers are known for .

— Minister Jackson Mthembu (@JacksonMthembu_) November 19, 2018

Gordhan’s long-awaited testimony is set to be heard at the Zondo inquiry on Monday.

His time in the hot-seat was initially set for last week Thursday but was moved to a new date after he applied for a postponement.

His sworn statement to the commission dated November 11 2018 was leaked to media, prompting Zondo to issue a statement of condemnation.

In the evidence, Gordhan detailed his encounter with the controversial Gupta family in his first term as finance minister between 2004 and 2009. He said he was requested by Zuma to a meeting at the presidential guesthouse in Pretoria.

(Additional reporting by ANA)

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