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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is deeply disappointed and outraged with the manner in which President Jacob Zuma has handled the Cabinet reshuffle which saw Pravin Gordhan axed from his position as Finance Minister, alongside his Deputy, Mcebisi Jonas. The union federation is calling on President Zuma to resign with immediate effect.

“The timing of the axing of Gordhan and the manner in which it has been done couldn’t have come at a worse time for our country. It is now a matter of public record that Gordhan was abruptly recalled from overseas trip this past weekend where he was leading a top National Treasury to avert a sovereign downgrading to junk status and attract much need foreign direct investment into our economy,” FEDUSA General Secretary Dennis George said.

“The firing of Pravin Gordhan as Finance Minister simply intensifies the notion that the process of total state capture has now been set firmly in motion. The timing was of the media release announcing the Cabinet reshuffle at midnight on Friday essentially serves to highlight the real intent by the presidency. We regret the reshuffle completely as only reaffirms all aspects all aspects of state capture we have been highlighting as FEDUSA since our 6th National Congress in November last year”.

George said the overall leadership efficiency within government is now being questioned in the aftermath of the reshuffle because non performing but loyalist Ministers such as Bathabile Dlamini have been retained at the same time that President Zuma ‘s supporters from the ruling African National Congress (ANC)’s Women’s and Youth Leagues have been roped into the National Executive.

The long term economic stability as well as the strength of our currency will be now placed in jeopardy if a motion of no confidence is tabled against President Zuma in Parliament and the South African Communist Party, an ANC Alliance sticks to its threat to recall all Ministers from Cabinet if President Zuma fires Gordhan.

President Zuma did not a learn a lesson from 9 December 2015, brought on by the irresponsible and disastrous appointment of the new Finance Minister, Mr D van Rooyen by President Zuma, which created a major economic predicament, and resulted in approximately R500 billion being wiped from the South African pension funds of workers concludes George.

Issued by FEDUSA