Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas confirmed on Wednesday evening that that Gupta family had offered him the position of Minister of Finance to replace Nhlanhla Nene but that he had rejected it out of hand.
“The basis of my rejection of their offer is that it makes a mockery of our hard earned democracy‚ the trust of our people and no one apart from the President of the Republic appoints ministers‚” Jonas said in a statement.
He also said he wished to place on record that there was no discussion between the Deputy Secretary General of the ANC Ms Jessie Duarte and himself on this matter.
“I have hesitated to speak out publicly on this matter until now‚ but I feel it is no longer possible to remain quiet. Of primary concern to me is that this issue has a real
danger of diverting attention away from the real and urgent challenges we face as a
country‚” Jonas said.
He added that he was committed to good governance‚ abiding by the constitution of the country and being accountable to its people “who repeatedly express their confidence and trust in us‚ election after election”
“It is this constant state of awareness and consciousness drummed into most of us throughout our service in the national democratic revolution led by the ANC‚ that has provided us with the moral capital and tools to apply sound judgement to navigate challenges that emerge in the natural course of societal leadership. It is only through these values and moral covenants that I serve my organisation‚ my fellow country men and women‚ my beloved South Africa.
“Finally‚ I remain confident that the challenges that we face as a nation will be
overcome if we collectively use our efforts for the benefit of all. I am resolute in
playing my part in preserving the integrity of National Treasury as an institution in my
capacity as Deputy Minister.
“I’m also committed to in making my contribution towards building a prosperous South Africa led by the glorious movement of our people‚ the African National Congress‚” Jonas said.
The Sunday Times reported that Jonas had been offered the job by the Gupta family- however this week the Guptas strongly denied the claims.
Jonas said in his statement that the “ narrative that has grown around the issue of ‘state capture’ should be of concern to all responsible and caring South Africans”.
“We cannot afford to ignore the obvious impact these sentiments may have on our country and the resultant potential of undermining our moral authority. Neither can we afford to allow the attempts to capture the state to divert us from dealing with the challenges that our country faces.”
Former ANC Mp Vygie Mentor this week also admitted to having been approached by the Guptas to take up the Ministry of Public Enterprises. She said in a Facebook post that the family had made the offer while President Jacob Zuma was in the room next door.
The Presidency meanwhile moved to deny the accusations‚ saying the President had no recollection of who Mentor was.
Claims have also been made‚ by among others‚ EFF leader Julius Malema‚ that Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula was told of his appointment as minister by the Gupta family.
Jonas said he regarded the Constitution as “being sacrosanct and it embraces the values that South Africans struggled for‚ and what we live by. I was appointed Deputy Minister in terms of the Constitution by the President of the Republic. Any practice that conflicts with the prescripts of the constitution must be challenged in the interest of our democracy and the accountability we have to our people.
“The ANC that we have been and continue to be proud members of‚ has offered us the opportunity to serve our country‚ an honour that I do not take for granted. My historical commitment to the liberation of our people has not waned.
“My daily decisions and actions are informed by the understanding that true political
freedom will be achieved through deliberate and active management of a
transformed yet inclusive growing economy. The current economic climate presents
many risks for our country‚ which requires responsible leadership to avoid a fullblown
crisis. We have to unite on the key issues relating to managing the macroeconomic
risks‚ while urgently unlocking new sources of growth and job creation.
South Africa requires ‘all hands on deck’.”
Jonas added that the extent to which the country was able to navigate the current macro-economic challenges‚ restore investor confidence and rapidly stimulate growth‚ would depend on heightened levels of political leadership.
“The narrative that has grown around the issue of “state capture” should be of
concern to all responsible and caring South Africans‚ particularly those of us who
have accepted the task to lead our people. We cannot afford to ignore the obvious
impact these sentiments may have on our country and the resultant potential of
undermining our moral authority. Neither can we afford to allow the attempts to
capture the state to divert us from dealing with the challenges that our country faces.
“History will judge us on the extent to which we have stayed true to the commitments
we have made to our people through our public pronouncements and private
conduct‚” Jonas concluded.
UPDATE: ‘Guptas did offer me Minister of Finance position’ - Jonas
“The basis of my rejection of their offer is that it makes a mockery of our hard earned democracy‚ the trust of our people and no one apart from the President of the Republic appoints ministers‚” Jonas said in a statement.
He also said he wished to place on record that there was no discussion between the Deputy Secretary General of the ANC Ms Jessie Duarte and himself on this matter.
“I have hesitated to speak out publicly on this matter until now‚ but I feel it is no longer possible to remain quiet. Of primary concern to me is that this issue has a real
danger of diverting attention away from the real and urgent challenges we face as a
country‚” Jonas said.
He added that he was committed to good governance‚ abiding by the constitution of the country and being accountable to its people “who repeatedly express their confidence and trust in us‚ election after election”
“It is this constant state of awareness and consciousness drummed into most of us throughout our service in the national democratic revolution led by the ANC‚ that has provided us with the moral capital and tools to apply sound judgement to navigate challenges that emerge in the natural course of societal leadership. It is only through these values and moral covenants that I serve my organisation‚ my fellow country men and women‚ my beloved South Africa.
“Finally‚ I remain confident that the challenges that we face as a nation will be
overcome if we collectively use our efforts for the benefit of all. I am resolute in
playing my part in preserving the integrity of National Treasury as an institution in my
capacity as Deputy Minister.
“I’m also committed to in making my contribution towards building a prosperous South Africa led by the glorious movement of our people‚ the African National Congress‚” Jonas said.
The Sunday Times reported that Jonas had been offered the job by the Gupta family- however this week the Guptas strongly denied the claims.
Jonas said in his statement that the “ narrative that has grown around the issue of ‘state capture’ should be of concern to all responsible and caring South Africans”.
“We cannot afford to ignore the obvious impact these sentiments may have on our country and the resultant potential of undermining our moral authority. Neither can we afford to allow the attempts to capture the state to divert us from dealing with the challenges that our country faces.”
Former ANC Mp Vygie Mentor this week also admitted to having been approached by the Guptas to take up the Ministry of Public Enterprises. She said in a Facebook post that the family had made the offer while President Jacob Zuma was in the room next door.
The Presidency meanwhile moved to deny the accusations‚ saying the President had no recollection of who Mentor was.
Claims have also been made‚ by among others‚ EFF leader Julius Malema‚ that Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula was told of his appointment as minister by the Gupta family.
Jonas said he regarded the Constitution as “being sacrosanct and it embraces the values that South Africans struggled for‚ and what we live by. I was appointed Deputy Minister in terms of the Constitution by the President of the Republic. Any practice that conflicts with the prescripts of the constitution must be challenged in the interest of our democracy and the accountability we have to our people.
“The ANC that we have been and continue to be proud members of‚ has offered us the opportunity to serve our country‚ an honour that I do not take for granted. My historical commitment to the liberation of our people has not waned.
“My daily decisions and actions are informed by the understanding that true political
freedom will be achieved through deliberate and active management of a
transformed yet inclusive growing economy. The current economic climate presents
many risks for our country‚ which requires responsible leadership to avoid a fullblown
crisis. We have to unite on the key issues relating to managing the macroeconomic
risks‚ while urgently unlocking new sources of growth and job creation.
South Africa requires ‘all hands on deck’.”
Jonas added that the extent to which the country was able to navigate the current macro-economic challenges‚ restore investor confidence and rapidly stimulate growth‚ would depend on heightened levels of political leadership.
“The narrative that has grown around the issue of “state capture” should be of
concern to all responsible and caring South Africans‚ particularly those of us who
have accepted the task to lead our people. We cannot afford to ignore the obvious
impact these sentiments may have on our country and the resultant potential of
undermining our moral authority. Neither can we afford to allow the attempts to
capture the state to divert us from dealing with the challenges that our country faces.
“History will judge us on the extent to which we have stayed true to the commitments
we have made to our people through our public pronouncements and private
conduct‚” Jonas concluded.
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