Medium Term Budget Policy Statement media briefing, 26 Oct 2016
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan addresses the media during the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Cape Town. (Photo: GCIS)
EFF hits back at “master manipulator and state capturer” Pravin Gordhan
“As Minister of Finance, he was an accomplice to the Guptas’ activities.” – EFF
Medium Term Budget Policy Statement media briefing, 26 Oct 2016
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan addresses the media during the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Cape Town. (Photo: GCIS)
The EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) has hit back Public Enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan for his statements on state capture which were revealed in a leaked document.
Gordhan is only due to appear before the commission of inquiry into state capture next week, yet, his statements regarding the wanton corruption and nepotism bred under the dubious tenure of former president Jacob Zuma have found their way to the public’s eye.
Gordhan gives a glimpse into the state capture machine
The 68-page sworn statement, signed by Gordhan and destined for Deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo, has made some explosive claims regarding the mechanisms of state capture.
According to Gordhan, state capture is perpetuated by a multitier system of nepotistic undertakings, involving executive appointments and dismissals, persecution and campaigns of harassment and intimidation, the capturing of state owned enterprises and the neutralising of law enforcement agencies.
EFF continues its assault on Pravin Gordhan
EFF Statement on revelations that Pravin Gordhan met with the Guptas. pic.twitter.com/ufD8ItKkbH
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 7, 2018
The EFF has taken several shots at Gordhan over the last few months, with the war of words intensifying following the sacking of former SARS boss Tom Moyane, and now, revelations exposed in the minister’s leaked state capture report.
Although Gordhan makes no mention of the EFF in his report, and maintains his own innocence throughout, the red berets have issued a strong-worded response to the leaked document, arguing that the minister was indeed complicit in state capture. The official EFF statement, reads:
“For the longest time, Pravin Gordhan portrayed himself as a paragon of political virtue, and sole warrior in the war against the Guptas’ micromanagement of the key State decisions.
What Pravin Gordhan did not reveal however, is that as Minister of Finance, he was an accomplice to the Guptas’ activities, because they gained traction during his tenure as Minister of Finance.”
The statement then goes on to accuse Gordhan of being the “master manipulator and state capturer”, who is “grounded in a criminal parallel State Capture network”.
