Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
International

Indian-Origin Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's Sacking Triggers Civil War In S Africa's Ruling ANC

IANS, 31 Mar, 2017 11:57 AM
    The sacking of South Africa’s respected Indian-origin Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in a Cabinet purge pitched the ruling ANC party into chaos on Friday, creating one of its biggest tests since leading the fight against apartheid.
     
    The country’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa launched an unprecedented verbal attack on President Jacob Zuma, whose midnight reshuffle sent the rand currency plunging and triggered accusations that he was promoting graft.
     
    Zuma’s axing of Finance Minister Gordhan also unleashed a wave of opposition in the African National Congress, which came to power under Nelson Mandela in the euphoric 1994 elections but has suffered declining support.
     
    Gordhan was widely seen as a competent manager of one of the world’s most important emerging economies.
     
    Ramaphosa went public with his anger, openly attacking his boss.
     
    “I told him that I would not agree with him,” Ramaphosa told reporters.
     
    “There are quite a number of other colleagues and comrades who are unhappy about this situation, particularly the removal of the Minister of Finance who was serving the country with absolute distinction”.
     
    Gordhan was reportedly sacked because of an alleged intelligence report on meetings he held in London earlier this week.
     
    “For him to be removed for this type of reasoning is to me unacceptable,” Ramaphosa said.
     
    Gordhan held a press conference today, saying he heard of his sacking via television and dismissing the intelligence report “as absolute nonsense.”
     
    “We hope more and more South Africans would make it clear that our country is not for sale,” he added.
     
    Zuma made 20 new government appointments in the reshuffle.
     
    “I’m very uncomfortable because areas where ministers do not perform have not been touched,” Gwede Mantashe, the influential ANC Secretary-General, said.
     
    “We can’t be happy (with the decision to sack Gordhan) because we think that the Finance Minister was a hard worker.” Gordhan had been at loggerheads with Zuma for months, receiving support from several ministers and major foreign investors, as well as many ordinary South Africans and veterans of the anti-apartheid struggle.
     
    He campaigned for budget discipline and against corruption, but Zuma’s allies have accused Gordhan of thwarting the president’s desire to enact radical policies to tackle racial inequality.
     
    Mantashe told 702 Radio that Zuma was aware that many in the ANC were “unhappy” about the purge, in which Gordhan was replaced by Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba.
     
    “The President came with a list. (He) said ‘you can comment if you want to comment, but this is my decision,’” Mantashe said.
     
    The ANC, which was banned under white-minority rule, has lost popularity due to corruption allegations, record unemployment and slow economic growth. 

    MORE International ARTICLES

    One Month Into Their Marriage, Conservatives Still Loving President Trump

    Trump, who once proposed single-payer health care, supported abortion, and who still threatens businesses that export jobs, took veiled shots during his presidential bid at rigid conservatism.

    One Month Into Their Marriage, Conservatives Still Loving President Trump

    Indian Engineer Shot Dead In Kansas Bar By Navy Veteran, Attacker Shouted 'Get Out Of My Country'

    Indian Engineer Shot Dead In Kansas Bar By Navy Veteran, Attacker Shouted 'Get Out Of My Country'
    Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted "I am shocked" and said she has promised assistance to Mr Kuchibhotla's family including helping to bring the 32-year-old's body back to Hyderabad.

    Indian Engineer Shot Dead In Kansas Bar By Navy Veteran, Attacker Shouted 'Get Out Of My Country'

    Indians Largest Group Of Foreign Skilled Workers In UK

    Indians Largest Group Of Foreign Skilled Workers In UK
    Indians were the largest group of skilled workers granted visas to live and work in the UK last year at 57 per cent, according to official figures released here today.

    Indians Largest Group Of Foreign Skilled Workers In UK

    European Union Willing To Accommodate More Indian IT Professionals

    European Union Willing To Accommodate More Indian IT Professionals
    The European Union on Wednesday indicated that it would be willing to accommodate more Indian IT professionals amid concerns over the Trump administration tightening H1B visa norms.

    European Union Willing To Accommodate More Indian IT Professionals

    US Won't Compromise On EU Support To Please Russia: Nikki Haley

    US Won't Compromise On EU Support To Please Russia: Nikki Haley
    US ambassador to UN Nikki Haley has said the US will not compromise on its support for the European Union and NATO in its quest to improve relations with Russia.

    US Won't Compromise On EU Support To Please Russia: Nikki Haley

    Indian-Origin MP Seema Malhotra Among Anti-Trump Voices In UK Parliament

    Indian-Origin MP Seema Malhotra Among Anti-Trump Voices In UK Parliament
    Indian-origin Labour MP Seema Malhotra was among a number of British MPs who spoke out against US President Donald Trump's proposed state visit to the UK in Parliament.

    Indian-Origin MP Seema Malhotra Among Anti-Trump Voices In UK Parliament