Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa says he is unhappy with President Jacob Zuma’s decision to reshuffle Cabinet‚ but says he will not resign.

Ramaphosa said he was particularly opposed to the removal of former finance minister Pravin Gordhan. He said many colleagues shared his views.

Ramaphosa said Zuma had not properly consulted the ANC’s leadership.

“The president has effected his Cabinet reshuffle. Before doing so‚ he met ANC officials. It was just a process of informing us of his decision‚” Ramaphosa said on SABC TV news.

“It was not a consultation because he came with a ready-made list. I raised my concern and objection on the removal of the Minister of Finance‚ largely because he was being removed based on an intelligence report that I believe had unsubstantiated allegations about the Minister of Finance and his deputy going to London to mobilise financial markets against our country. Read more

South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the sacking of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan as “totally unacceptable”.

His late night dismissal on Thursday led to a 5% plunge in the value of the currency, the rand.

Mr Gordhan was seen as a bulwark against corruption in an administration that is facing growing criticism. He was one of several victims as President Jacob Zuma conducted a major overhaul of his cabinet.

Mr Zuma said the midnight reshuffle was about a “radical socio-economic transformation”.
Mr Ramaphosa told state broadcaster SABC that he would not resign in response to the sacking but continue to ” serve the people”.

In a spirited farewell press conference at the treasury’s office in Pretoria, Mr Gordhan defended his economic record, and dismissed speculation by that he had recently held meetings in London aimed at undermining Mr Zuma. Read more