President Zuma and Pravin Gordhan: Shifting the Risk Burden

SOUTH AFRICA - In Brief 29 Mar 2017 by Iraj Abedian

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President Zuma convened a meeting of his cabinet earlier this evening to discuss the sudden recall of Minister Gordhan forcing him to abort his no-deal roadshow in London. Tomorrow the cabinet will brief the nation on the outcome of cabinet deliberations. But it appears that the President's push for axing Pravin Gordhan has met with resistance within the ANC Top 6. So, his plan of announcing a reshuffle this Friday and dismissing the Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance has to be delayed. The Top 6 have now arranged a follow up meeting on Monday April 3rd to further discuss the President's plans. Whereas time is not on President Zuma's side, and he is keen to terminate this power play stalemate with Pravin Gordhan, the Minister is in no rush to go anywhere. He continues to publicly state the fact that he is still the Minister, implying that he has no intention of resigning, no matter how untenable his circumstance become. In other words, he leaves it to the President to dismiss him if he so wishes. By so doing, he transfers all the risk onto Zuma! At this point, it appears that unlike NeneGate of 9 December 2015, President Zuma this time is prepared to drag it long enough to ensure that no one will be surprised by his eventual decision. He has made it clear that he finds Pravin Gordhan divisive and uncooperative with the Zuma-aligned ministers. He is also determined to make sure that the financial markets are fully in the know and face no surprises. As of this evening, the chances of a cabinet reshuffle this week is almost diminished to zero. Zuma has to secure the ANC Top 6 support before he can effect the changes that he wishes to bring about. At the moment, the T...