Gordhan says he wasn’t recalled, just asked to come back – report

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will reportedly comply with President Jacob Zuma’s order to immediately return back to the country from an international investor road show this evening.

The minister told Reuters on the sidelines of the first leg of National Treasury’s UK roadshow that he had not been recalled by Zuma but “asked to come back home”.

Gordhan said he had been planning to come back home early as he did not plan to be part of the US leg of the investor roadshow anyway.

Earlier on Monday morning Zuma instructed Gordhan and his deputy, Mcebi Jonas, to immediately return back to the country without providing an reasons for his decision.

“President Jacob Zuma has instructed the minister of finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan, and Deputy Minister Mcebisi Jonas to cancel the international investment promotion roadshow to the United Kingdom and the United States and return to South Africa immediately,” said Presidency spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga in a terse statement.

According to The Daily Maverick, Treasury received written authorisation from the president’s office to embark on the investor roadshow but the authorisation on Monday was rescinded.

Gordhan reportedly said “that’s the boss’ prerogative” when asked if there would be a Cabinet reshuffle instituted by Zuma some time.

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