JOHANNESBURG: Former South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has stated that if the current state of affairs in the country continue, the African National Congress will lose its autonomy in the 2019 elections. After months of locking horns with President Jacob Zuma, Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas were axed in the controversial Cabinet reshuffle. He was let off on allegations that he held a secret meeting abroad to undermine South Africa and its economy.
“Many of us are extremely worried that if we continue as we are in the ANC, we are likely to lose the 2019 elections. If we, like any business organisation or political organisation, fail to muster the right leadership, stick by the right kind of values and do the right thing... then of course we will, as an organisation, fail,” he said. Gordhan also seemingly supported deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed Zuma.
“Ramaphosa has been extremely brave. He has spoken truth to power at difficult times. He has demonstrated that he is a leader of great mettle that would serve South Africa well into the future,” he said. He also promoted a judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of “state capture” by the controversial Gupta family and Zuma's benefactors. When asked if the President was a good leader, Gordhan said SA had a culture of “collective leadership.”
A controversial figure, Zuma has remained wrapped in several scandals most of them corruption-related. He is due to step down as head of the ANC in December and as President ahead of the general elections to be held in 2019.
