The country’s prosecution service denies media reports that it’s about to charge Gordhan with corruption.

Before heading abroad for a fortnight, Zuma issued a statement saying he’s not empowered to stop investigations against the finance minister.

ends intro

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was in defiant mood when he addressed his staff on Friday.

Sources in the meeting behind closed doors said Gordhan warned them not to be surprised if he was sacked.

He said he’d spent years risking his life fighting apartheid and he was once again prepared to die to block thieves trying to access public funds.

He vowed not to stop investigating illegal state contracts.

Many of these have involved companies belonging to the Gupta family, who used their improperly  close relationship with Zuma to influence government appointments and policies.

The Guptas gave notice at the weekend that they’re selling up their business interests in South Africa and quitting the country by the end of the year.

Growing numbers senior ANC members and their ruling alliance partners the SA Communist Party warn that persecuting Gordhan risks driving the currency down to unprecedented levels and watching South Africa be downgraded to junk status by international  credit ratings agencies.

The post Pravin Gordhan says he’ll die to save South Africa from thieves appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

They say in an open letter to Zuma that the spat between the Hawks and Gordhan threatens to devastate the economy.

ends intro

Business Leadership South Africa president Saki Maconzoma says 18 months of work done by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and others to stave off a credit ratings downgrade to junk status has been jeopardised .

The president needs to act urgently.

If necessary he could  put the matter in the hands of the ombudsman, known here as the public protector

The letter was inked before Gordhan announced he would not present himself for questions under warning by the Hawks, who are investigating the formation of a special spy unit at the South African Revenue Service after Gordan left as taxman to become Finance Minister.

Zuma has issued a statement saying he has full confidence in Gordhan but he doesn’t have the power to stop the Hawks investigation.

Civil society members were at the Hawks headquarters in Pretoria yesterday (Thursday) when three of Gordhan’s colleagues made warning statements.

Their lawyer said no charges were preferred.

Former Constitutional Court judge Johan Kriegler says there’s not a shred of evidence against Gordhan

The post Business leaders urge President Zuma to protect his finance minister appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.