Zuma getting ready to fire ministers – report

The top six officials, Cyril Ramaphosa‚ Baleka Mbete‚ Gwede Mantashe‚ Jessie Duarte and Zweli Mkhize have gathered at President Jacob Zuma’s home to meet urgently at Zuma’s request.

According to News24, ministers have been informed to be on standby as nine ministers, including Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, and six deputy ministers, are set to be affected by the reshuffle.

The SACP revealed on Thursday at a press briefing that Zuma had informed them of his intention to remove Gordhan and his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas, this week. Zuma based his decision on an intelligence report which stated that Gordhan and Jonas had set up meetings with people who would push for a change in government.

The pair were recalled from an international investor roadshow in London on Monday.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported on Thursday that, according to four sources it had spoken to, about 12 ministers in his Cabinet were considering resigning from their jobs, should he fire Gordhan.

Members of the executive, who include Ramaphosa and some deputy ministers, apparently also plan to keep their seats in Parliament to push for Zuma’s removal as the country’s president.

“The officials would keep their seats in Parliament and possibly support or abstain from a vote of no confidence in the president if it’s called by the opposition or by members of the African National Congress (ANC),” they said.

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