PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
South Africa: Mass protest planned for Finance Minister’s court appearance
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – Populist leader Julius Malema has called for South Africans to take to the streets on 2 November when Finance Minister Prasvin Gordhan is scheduled to appear in a Pretoria court to face charges of fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
This after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Tuesday announced that the respected Minister must appear in court next month on charges stemming from an investigation into his time as the head of the South African Revenue Services (SARS).
National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams denied that there was a political agenda in the move, but there is widespread speculation that the move is an attempt by President Jacob Zuma to have Gordhan sidelined.
Malema said that Gordhan’s arrest was an attempt by Zuma to dismiss evidence presented by National Treasury before the public protector in connection to the investigation of “state capture” against the president.
“On 2 November, all those who love our country and its constitution must occupy the streets of Pretoria in support of our democracy,” he said.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is currently investigating allegations of state capture attempts by the controversial Gupta family, who are friends of Zuma’s.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Presidency said Zuma who is on a state visit to Kenya, has reaffirmed his support Gordhan. It has urged the NPA to conduct the matter with the necessary dignity and respect.
-0- PANA CU/MA 12Oct2016
This after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Tuesday announced that the respected Minister must appear in court next month on charges stemming from an investigation into his time as the head of the South African Revenue Services (SARS).
National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams denied that there was a political agenda in the move, but there is widespread speculation that the move is an attempt by President Jacob Zuma to have Gordhan sidelined.
Malema said that Gordhan’s arrest was an attempt by Zuma to dismiss evidence presented by National Treasury before the public protector in connection to the investigation of “state capture” against the president.
“On 2 November, all those who love our country and its constitution must occupy the streets of Pretoria in support of our democracy,” he said.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is currently investigating allegations of state capture attempts by the controversial Gupta family, who are friends of Zuma’s.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Presidency said Zuma who is on a state visit to Kenya, has reaffirmed his support Gordhan. It has urged the NPA to conduct the matter with the necessary dignity and respect.
-0- PANA CU/MA 12Oct2016
