S. African presidency refutes rumours on conspiracy against finance minister

The South African Presidency on Friday refuted rumours about a conspiracy against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

President Jacob Zuma has noted the rumours and gossip which insinuate some conspiracy against Gordhan, presidential spokesperson Bongani Majola said.

This referred to press reports that Gordhan had threatened to resign ahead of his crucial Budget Speech in Parliament on February 24 over an alleged clash with South African Revernue Service (SARS) Commissioner Tom Moyane and ultimately a "proxy war" with Zuma.

Gordhan's threat reportedly emerged after the Hawks, a special anti-crime unit, sent Gordhan a letter, questioning him over his role in the alleged rogue unit at the SARS during his tenure as commissioner from 1999 to 2009, according to reports in Business Day and the Mail & Guardian (M&G) on Friday.

"At the heart of the battle is the recapturing of SARS from perceived Zuma allies," the M&G said.

The "SARS Wars" as they are called, started well before Gordhan was reappointed as finance minister, with Moyane using the contentious rogue report to oust senior SARS officials who were close to Gordhan, the reports said.

Gordhan was appointed by Zuma as finance minister in December in a bid to stabilise the financial market. Gordhan previously served as finance minister in Zuma's first administration.

"These baseless rumours and gossip will not deter or divert government from moving forward with promoting fiscal consolidation and pushing for inclusive growth and job creation," Majola said.

The president, supported by Gordhan and the entire cabinet, are determined to turn the economy around, working with business and labour, said Majola.

Zuma has full confidence in Gordhan and all his ministers and deputy ministers, Majola said.

Meanwhile, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) also threw its weight behind Gordhan in his alleged conflict with the SARS.

It is the view of the ANC that the complex and difficult work that has been done by Zuma since December to date has restored the confidence of South Africans in the economy and brought about stability, ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe said.

The ANC commends Gordhan and his team for the hard work and the energy that they invested thus far, said Mantashe.

"We further reiterate our full confidence in the minister and his team for the work they continue to do," Mantashe said. Endit