Former Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan admitted to hospital

Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan has been hospitalised.

Family spokesperson Adrian Lackay said further updates on the former minister’s condition will be provided.

Gordhan hospitalised

“The family of the former Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Pravin Gordhan, would like to inform the media and the public that he has been admitted to hospital.

“Mr. Gordhan is receiving the best available medical care. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time,” Lackay said.

Lackay did not disclose the reason for the former ministers admission to the hospital.

In August last year, Gordhan tendered an apology on the eve of a meeting of parliament’s portfolio committee on public enterprises where he was due to answer to allegations the former director general of his department made against him in a protected disclosure.

“I wish to inform the committee that I will not be able to attend the meeting because of ill health. I have been advised this evening not to travel by air by a specialist doctor,” he said.

Retirement

In March, the 74-year-old Gordhan announced that he would retire after the 29 May 2024 general election to prepare the way for the new administration and smooth transition.

The former minister expressed his desire to prioritise his family and his health following his retirement from active politics.

ALSO READ: Pravin Gordhan wants ‘smooth transition’ as he retires from politics

Career

A trained pharmacist, Gordhan is a struggle veteran whose career as a politician and activist spanned more than five decades.

Gordhan occupied strategic positions in government since South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994 before joining the South African Revenue Services (Sars) in 1998.

In May 2009, former president Jacob Zuma appointed Gordhan as minister of finance, succeeding Trevor Manuel. He served in that position from 2009 until 2014 when he was replaced by Nhlanhla Nene as minister of finance.

After a brief disastrous appointment of the unknown figure Des van Rooyen, Zuma reluctantly reappointed Gordhan in 2015.

He also served as minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs from 2014 until 2015 and as minister of public enterprises since February 2018 until his retirement.

ALSO READ: ‘He won’t be missed’ – Analyst on news of Pravin Gordhan retiring