JOHANNESBURG – A possible cabinet reshuffle and the ongoing Hawks investigation is creating more uncertainty about the future of Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan.
There are major concerns that charging Gordhan could shatter investor confidence and see the country’s credit ratings downgraded.
But he’s standing his ground, reportedly telling Treasury staff on Friday he would die for what he believes in.
Many say Gordhan and Treasury are under attack for exposing those benefiting from questionable government deals, but the National Prosecuting Authority has denied media reports that the finance minister faces imminent arrest.
The case against Gordhan dates back to when he headed the South African Revenue Services and a covert investigative unit.
Constitutional law expert Pierre De Vos says there is no legal basis for the Hawks to investigate Gordhan.
“The Hawks is obviously entitled to investigate anybody for anything that is a crime. But two of the three pieces of legislation that they have been trying to invoke, do not create criminal offences.”
At least one political analyst says a cabinet reshuffle is inevitable.
“All this shows that there is the centre within the ANC does not hold, because the ANC itself is at war with itself,” Professor Sipho Seepe told eNCA.
“It has also allowed some of the leadership of the ANC to almost behave in a manner that shows a lack of discipline,” he added.
