EFF condemns Zuma for misleading the nation about why he released Nhlanhla Nene as Minister of Fiance

12 April 2016

The EFF notes reports that former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene has accepted a job offer in the private sector as a clear indication that Zuma deliberately misled and deceived the nation. Zuma’s explanation on why he removed Nhlanhla Nene as Finance Minister was that he has deployed him to the African Regional Centre of the New BRICS Bank. In a statement disputing speculation that he fired Nene due to Nene’s refusal to approve SAA Board’s Airbus deal, Zuma said, “Mr. Nene is South Africa’s candidate to head up the African Regional Center for the New Development Bank/BRICS Bank."

Today, four months after Zuma removed him, the country has learned that Nene will now be working in the private sector and not as head of the BRICS Bank as Zuma explained. This demonstrates once more that Zuma does not take his oath of office seriously and disregards the intelligence of the people of South Africa.

Many may argue that Nene may have not accepted the offer to head BRICS Bank. Nevertheless, Zuma created an impression that it was a deployment to a better job than heading South Africa’s Treasury. We have always maintained that it is not possible to just suddenly remove a Finance Minister to offer him a job that has not materialised yet. Let alone without preparing the consciousness of the country and the world that such a crucial move is coming. Above all, if this was the case, why when removing him as Finance Minister was this reason not given, instead there was no explanation whatsoever except to force a Gupta stooge of a political sophomore in the form of Desmond Van Rooyen down the throats of the people.

The move of Nhanhla Nene to the private sector is a clear indication that Zuma deceived the country. We maintain that this also reaffirms the reality that Nene was removed due to his lack of corporation with the Gupta family’s demands on the treasury and their attempt to capture it for their interests in the nuclear built program, SAA and many other deals.

The country must not be subjected to a political Pinocchio occupying the highest Office of the President. There is no truth that Zuma will ever speak because corruption can only be explained by covering it up with deception and lies. Thus, the only way to save him is that he must step down as President of the Republic.

Issued by Mbyiseni Quintin Ndlozi, National Spokesperson, EFF, 12 April 2016