Gordhan is a ‘brave man with a nerve of steel’, Cosatu says

The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) has described Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan as a brave principled man with a nerve of steel, saying his recall from an international investor roadshow by President Jacob Zuma was unprecedented and embarrassing for South Africa.

On Tuesday the federation’s general secretary, Bheki Ntshalintshali, said they wanted Zuma to explanation why he withdrew Treasury’s approval to embark on the roadshow in the UK and US this week.

“We were shocked to learn in the news that president had decided to rescind the decision for the ministers to go. It is unprecedented. Firstly, it has never happened in this way. And secondly, the manner in which it has been done raises eyebrows as to what is the reason behind the instruction,” he said speaking outside the ANC’s headquarters in Johannesburg, Luthuli House.

Gordhan landed at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday morning and headed straight for the party’s headquarters to meet with ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.

There was a flurry of activity outside the building. ANC presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was also spotted leaving the building.

“This has never happened in this way, and it raises eyebrows in the way it is done,” Ntshalintshali said, adding that Cosatu was aware of mounting speculation that Zuma would possibly reshuffle his Cabinet but they hoped he would consult the ANC’s alliance partners.

“We’ll be looking forward to people who might be taken out of their ministerial positions on the basis of poor performance, we’ve not seen that.

“So it will be interesting to see what could be the reason for these ministers if they’re taken out of their positions.”

Meanwhile, the South African Communist Party (SACP) on Tuesday said it was worried about organisational and political decay under Zuma’s leadership.

The SACP could neither confirm nor deny rumours that it was told by Zuma that he intended to fire Gordhan.

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