Pravin Gordhan and Jacob Zuma have recently appeared to contradict each over issues such as SAA.
FILE: Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan with President Jacob Zuma. Picture: GCIS.
Stephen Grootes | abou hours ago
JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) says the relationship between President Jacob Zuma and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan does not have to be a friendly one, but that they are dealing professionally with one another.
Last night, Gordhan said it appeared some agencies were being manipulated after the Sunday Times said he could soon be arrested for his role in the creation of a controversial South African Revenue Service (Sars) unit.
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Gordhan and Zuma have recently appeared to contradict each over issues such as the South African Airways.
The ANC says that it has full confidence in Gordhan and in all the members of Zuma's Cabinet.
The ANC's Zizi Kodwa was then asked if this situation was a result of a conflict between Gordhan and Zuma.
"Their relationship is not the relationship of ministers and the president walking in the park, holding hands and kissing one another. It's about confidence; and making sure that they carry their responsibilities, that is why they sign performance agreements."
He says the reason that this perception is taking hold, is because all of the people involved are dealing with it in public when they should be dealing with it behind closed doors.
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ZUMA MUST PUBLICLY AFFIRM HIS FAITH IN GORDHAN
At the same time, the South African Communist Party (SACP) says Zuma must publicly affirm his faith in Gordhan and stop allowing people to target him.
SACP's deputy general secretary Solly Mapaila says he believes the president does still have faith in Gordhan.
Mapaila says it's up to Zuma to put a stop to this damaging situation.
"He must not allow all these wrong things to happen, if some of them had been in his name and he keeps quiet about it. If he affirmed his confidence in Comrade Des [Van Rooyen], whom he appointed and later on [removed], he should be able to do the same with Pravin."
The SACP also says Gordhan is being deliberately targeted and isolated.
(Edited by Winnie Theletsane)
http://ewn.co.za/2016/05/18/ANC-Zuma-Gordhans-relationship-is-professional-not-friendly