WATCH: ‘Courageous’ Jonas lauded, takes veiled swipe over ‘compromised leadership’
Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas received a hero’s welcome in East London yesterday, with politicians and business leaders coming out in support of his “principled” stand against the alleged state capture by the Gupta family.
Jonas skipped President Jacob Zuma’s question time in the National Assembly to attend the opening of the Mercedes-Benz South Africa learning academy, but remained tightlipped about the Gupta’s offer to him – to replace Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister.
Jonas’ boss, Pravin Gordhan, was also notably absent from parliament yesterday.
At the Mercedes-Benz function, Premier Phumulo Masualle said Jonas, the former Eastern Cape MEC for economic affairs, had displayed courage by speaking out against the Guptas.
Masualle also said this weekend’s NEC meeting would be “pressured” since it was not the “usual kind of atmosphere we have”, even though the political leadership was capable of seeing the country through the current difficult period.
“We should be concerned with the extent of the instability.”
Speaking at the event, Jonas took a veiled swipe at Zuma saying that South Africa’s growth path had been negatively affected by compromised leadership.
He said the country’s navigation of the current period, which was fraught with huge risk and opportunity, depended on making the right choices.
“Sometimes we forget that we are where we are because of a collaborative process.
“Partly, the challenges we face today are because that partnership has been weakened. The leadership that drove that partnership has fundamentally been compromised in many ways over the last couple of years,” he said.
On the political front, intense lobbying immediately kicked in after Jonas broke his silence on Wednesday, with sources saying that the Gupta matter would feature strongly in discussions at the ANC’s national executive committee meeting, starting today.
“The target will be the KZN bloc which dominates the NEC. Cracks started to show within that bloc after their provincial congress, and this week’s developments will widen the divide even more. But what will matter most in this item are the facts one puts on the table.
“The vote can go either way because people have had enough. Most feel there is no better time to defend the integrity of the ANC,” said a senior ANC leader.
ANC Youth League president Collen Maine’s statement that Jonas should resign sent shockwaves throughout the province.
In a radio interview Maine said the deputy minister had failed to “take the person who appointed him into his confidence”.
But the Dispatch understands that this position will receive opposition from provinces such as the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Limpopo when the league holds its national executive committee in two week’s time.
Rumours are also circulating that Zuma – who wants to control the national Treasury – might move Jonas to another ministry as a full minister, so that he can appoint a pliable deputy minister.
It is understood that among Zuma’s concerns were the deputy minister’s control of the Public Investment Corporation, which holds billions in pension funds.
Sources said that with the antiZuma wave gaining momentum, a cabinet shuffle was very possible.
Those said to be facing the axe include Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom and Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies.
A number of sources said that neither Zuma nor the Gupta family had any control over Treasury.
“Our understanding is that the President was going to move Jonas to another ministry, and replace him with a Gupta deployee.
“The Guptas are angry that they have no control over Treasury.
“It was first Pravin , and Mcebisi is in support of Gordhan. The Guptas planned to plant their own man to watch Pravin,” said a close Jonas ally.
WHAT THEY SAID:
- Buffalo City metro executive mayor Alfred Mtsi: “We must appreciate the transparency demonstrated and promotion of ethical values.” He added that the challenges facing the country were not insurmountable.
- Border-Kei Chamber of Business executive director Les Holbrook told Jonas: “Be strong, be resolute and don’t resign. We trust you.”