17 January 2020
Endorsement of veterans’ statement condemning attacks on Gordhan
We, the undersigned organisations, endorse the statement released this week by a group of ANC stalwarts and veterans expressing dismay at the attacks levelled at Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan.
We call on other organisations and stalwarts of the liberation movement to similarly express support for the statement.
Entitled Eskom and the assault on the President: An end game, the statement indicates that the onslaught against Gordhan is, in essence, directed at President Cyril Ramaphosa. These attacks are being driven by proponents of the state capture ‘fightback’, and are a designed to ultimately “bring about the removal of a President committed to rehabilitating the country’s institutions and eliminating corruption”.
It highlights that the crises at numerous SOEs, particularly Eskom, cannot be attributed to Minister Gordhan, but to years of looting and mismanagement at these institutions, perpetuated, supported or covered up by many of those now calling for Gordhan’s removal.
The statement raises concern over the impractical call that Eskom be transferred to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy at a time of institutional instability.
The group of veterans have articulated what is behind the sustained attacks against Minister Gordhan and what is at stake for the country.
Minister Gordhan continues to serve as a bulwark against corruption and looting. If the President succumbs to pressure to remove him from office, he will be giving in to those who don’t want state capture to come to an end and who don’t want to see reform. This will ultimately destroy what little institutional functionality exists at key SOEs.
We implore the President, those who stand against state capture within the ruling party, and all political and labour formations, to not accede to the demands of those hell-bent on continuing the state capture project, and who wish to manipulate Eskom’s crises to serve their narrow political and self-interests.
We further call on President Ramaphosa and Parliament to not give in to threats by the EFF to disrupt the State of the Nation address should Minister Gordhan remain in office.
The veterans’ statement refers to a ‘convergence’ or ‘unity’ of individuals and organisations, who ultimately want to derail President Ramaphosa’s attempts to rebuild the state. Given the media exposés about the alleged involvement of some within the EFF around, for instance, the VBS scandal, it is unsurprising that they have found common cause with proponents of the state capture project within the ANC.
We urge business, civil society and all South Africans to continue resisting what is clearly a renewed wave of attack by networks leading the state capture ‘fightback’.
We will not allow the gains that we have collectively made in defeating state capture over the last few years to be undone.
Endorsed by the following organisations:
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
Alipur Muslim Association
Association of Muslim Schools
Business Leadership South Africa
Centre for Strategic Management of Critical Leadership
Congress of Business and Economics
Group of victims of State Capture at the South African Revenue Service
Gujarati Network of South Africa
Johannesburg Against Injustice
Jiss Foundation NPC
Johannesburg Institute of Social Services
Legal Resources Centre
Movement for Universal Justice
Merebank Justice Network
Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse
Patriotic Movement
South African Leadership Initiative
Teddy Bear Foundation
Training, Education and Management (TEAM)
Via Christi Community Church
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