EFF leader Julius Malema says President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision not to act on Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s findings against Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan is a “direct insult to the Constitution.”
Speaking at a media briefing in Braamfontein, he urged Ramaphosa to discipline Gordhan.
Mkhwebane found Gordhan guilty of “improper conduct” over his approval of then deputy South African Revenue Service (SARS) commissioner Ivan Pillay’s early retirement.
“The office must be protected and respected. No one can say they uphold the rule of law and the Constitution and ignore the office of the Public Protector and its remedial action,” Malema said.
A view apparently shared by Mkhwebane who, according to report in Business Day, believes President Cyril Ramaphosa is failing to uphold the Constitution by not taking action against Gordhan as she recommended. according to a report on Monday.
Gordhan’s legal team filed a court review application at the end of May, asking for Mkhwebane’s report to be set aside and for an order that she did not in act in accordance with the Constitution or the Public Protector Act.
“There is something tangible against Cyril Ramaphosa.”
The EFF leader then shifted focus on Ramaphosa’s campaign donations. “Deputy President DD Mabuza has not had any tangible evidence of corruption against him. But there is something tangible against Cyril Ramaphosa. The R500k and R400m. White capital put money in the CR17 campaign. Allegations against DD are like toilet gossip.”
Gordhan was then drawn into saga. “There are strong allegations that Gordhan was at the centre of getting money for the CR17 campaign and that is why he cannot act on him. The media said Ramaphosa was honest and transparent. So why is he hiding things from you?”
Malema then threw down the gauntlet to Ramaphosa. “Now the President must answer because his answers are not satisfactory. I have asked him “Why should you wait for an investigation? Why not call a Press Conference and give details on the sponsors of CR17?”
“Trevor Manuel has always served white capital”
The EFF leader also had Trevor Manuel in his sights, saying the former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has always “served white monopoly capital.”
“Trevor Manuel has always served the white capital, now he is accused of triple conflict of interest, exactly what we raised earlier,”Malema said.
Two months ago, the EFF accused Manuel of being unethical by not recusing himself from the panel that appointed Edward Kieswetter as the SARS commissioner. The accusation was motivated because of alleged close ties between Manuel and Kieswetter.
Shortly after the elections in May, the EFF were ordered to apologise to Manuel and the court awarded him R500,000 in damages after the former Finance Minister took to the courts to clear his name.
“Trevor can kick and scream and win the court cases, but facts don’t change,” Malema said.
“Why did you interview other candidates if you knew [your relationship] with him? What if you were too hard on the other candidates?” Malema asked at today’s briefing.
He also said the process of selecting the South African Revenue Services Commissioner was unfair.
“The reason why they want SARS so desperately is because it is the only weapon they can use against their enemies. SARS is being used as a weapon to fight opponents of white monopoly capital.”
Malema added they were not scared of SARS and had nothing to hide from them.
“They can come for us at any time.”
Malema also said that his party will no longer vote with DA in any municipality where they require voting from us.
“We will not vote with ANC either. We will participate in debates & offer possible solutions. We will abstain when it comes to voting,” he said
“EFF welcomes Red Ants suspension”
Meanwhile, the Gauteng Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said it’s “elated and welcomes with wide open arms” the decision by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) to suspend services of the “brutal and evil” Red Ants Security Relocation and Eviction Services.
In a statement, the EFF Gauteng said: “We are excited because this move by PSIRA advances ours and affected communities’ fights against historical property and land dispossessions, constitutional and human rights violations, abuses, humiliation, indignity and even killings that marred the arbitrary evictions that were executed in Gauteng since the mid 90’s by the African National Congress.”
The EFF said it will continue to pursue other avenues to get redress (reparations) and accountability for the victims.
“These evictions were always targeting poor, vulnerable and landless Black people, especially women and elderly people who were left stranded by the ANC government’s futile promises of houses and a better life,” the statement added.
