via SA: Zuma stuns, axes critical fin minister – NewZimbabwe 09/12/2015
SOUTH Africa President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday made a surprise announcement that Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene would be removed from the Finance portfolio in Cabinet.
Nene, who was outspoken on the over expenditure of government and the troubled South African Airways is the shortest sitting finance minister in the history of the country.
The move has had an immediate negative effect on the economy, with the rand plummeting against major international currencies.
Nene’s sacking and his replacement by ANC MP David van Rooyen was criticised by both the opposition and analysts.
The Julius Malema-led EFF opposition party called the appointment of Van Rooyen “a sign of a serious pathological crisis in the leadership and direction of the country”.
Political analyst Daniel Silke said the decision sends the wrong signal about South Africa’s ailing economy.
“This is the shortest reign of a finance minister and will create further doubts about cohesiveness of South Africa’s economic policy,” said Silke.
“Questions will be asked of Mr Nene’s replacement. Will he for example apply continuity of policy?”
He added: “Mr Nene was a realist and pragmatist. His short reign will be remembered for reigning in expenditure.
“Politics and obfuscation will prevent South Africa knowing the real reason why such a critical minister at a critical time has been replaced.”
EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi called Nene’s replacement, Van Rooyen, an unknown, inexperienced, sophomore… “with questionable political credentials”.
“Zuma has appointed him because he knows that Van Rooyen will not stand up to him when he wants to do wrong things.
“Van Rooyen will be so eternally grateful, absolutely star-struck that anything Zuma asks for will go.
“Van Rooyen will be prepared to even approve further upgrades to Zuma’s Nkandla home by putting a private zoo that has exotic animals like domesticated tigers.”
Ndlozi further lamented the shuffle, saying Nene has been moved because he “refused illegal instructions from Zuma and his friends in both business and state owned enterprises”.
“Nene refused to give South African Airways [SAA] guarantees and bailout when Zuma’s girlfriend and chairperson of the board requested it.
“Nene also refused to buy Zuma a new luxurious private jet and declined to grant Zuma’s staff exemptions from using expensive hotels and flying first class.
“Above all, Nhlanhla Nene was reluctant to approve the country’s new nuclear deal which Zuma wanted expedited so he can benefit before his term as president ends.
“There can be no more shocking news coming out of South Africa to signify that we are a country in crisis, with no knowledge of what tomorrow holds.”
COMMENTS
T.I.A
His “crime” of course was being sensible. That is NOT ALLOWED in Africa!!!!!
ECONOMIC PROBLEM = POLITICAL SOLUTION = The downward spiral begins!!!!!!
South Africa going the Zimbabwean way.
Globalization is a tool to loot 3rd world nations’ resources to 1st world nations who are running out of investment opportunities.
It might be an advantage that most unions are showing glaring weakness as they are rewriting the history of controlled economies such as USSR.
Goodluck to the new FM and he better tread the path carefully.