Probe ministers who may be working against Zuma, says North West ANC

AS another member of the Cabinet came out in support of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on Monday, the ANC in the North West called for an investigation into leaders and ministers "who are possibly working with the opposition" to attack President Jacob Zuma, to "weaken the ANC".

The ANC’s divisions have exploded into the open since the National Prosecuting Authority issued summonses for Gordhan to appear in court on fraud charges, related to the early retirement of former South African Revenue Service (SARS) commissioner Ivan Pillay.

The move precipitated an outpouring of support from party leaders and ministers, including Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

On Monday, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said although he had been travelling, he was happy to add his name to those expressing solidarity with Gordhan.

"Pravin Gordhan is a man of utmost personal integrity. While the law must take its course, I am confident that any action he has taken will have been motivated by the public good and not by personal advancement or enrichment," Davies said.

The minister was adding his voice to that of Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla, Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom, Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor and Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas, as reported by various media over the weekend.

However, Zuma’s backers have stood their ground, with the ANC in eThekwini marching in defence of the President on Saturday.

His supporters are describing internal dissent as an attempt at "regime change", and are accusing their own of working with the party’s opponents, indicating the intensity of the factional fight raging in the party.

On Monday, at a meeting of its top leadership, the ANC in the North West said everyone was "equal before the law".

"It is our view that Cde Pravin Gordhan must subject himself to the rule of law, as everyone is expected to, and not behave in a manner that casts aspersions on law-enforcement agencies and other state organs. We believe that as a sitting public-office bearer who took an oath of office, Cde Gordhan understands that he remains innocent until proven otherwise, and should co-operate with law-enforcement agencies," the North West ANC said in a statement.

It called on the ANC to probe the "worrying posture" by leaders on the national executive committee and in the Cabinet, "who are possibly working with the opposition to attack President Zuma in order to weaken the ANC".