The party said Zuma’s announcement of Pravin Gordhan as the new minister of finance, four days after appointing David van Rooyen to the position was a sign and admission that he was reckless and irrational in firing Nhlanhla Nene.
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Zuma had immediately replaced Nene with a relatively unknown lawmaker, David can Rooyen, sparking a wave of critisim and financial turmoil. “I think all of us at time-to-time are faced with situations where we have to change our minds”, said Mboweni on Zuma’s decision.
“As a democratic government, we emphasise the importance of listening to the people and to respond to their views”, Zuma’s Sunday statement said.
However, Mohammed Nalla, head of research at Nedbank Capital, said having a finance minister serve just two days did not bode well for South Africa’s reputation.
His replacement for less than a week, Mr van Rooyen, is a little-known MP.
Nene’s removal came less than a week after South African debt was moved closer to “junk” status by rating companies, which highlighted growth predicted at a sluggish 1.4 percent this year, along with rising interest and inflation rates.
Apparently shaken by the response, Zuma on Saturday took the unusual step of denying that he had a romantic relationship with SAA board chairwoman, Dudu Myeni, who had pressed hard for a new deal with Airbus.
The Presidency issued a statement on Sunday confirming the appointment.
“Mr Van Rooyen, a former executive mayor, will also be bringing to Cogta the finance and economic sector background gained in serving in the Finance Portfolio Committee and Economic Transformation Cluster as whip in National Assembly”.
Perhaps the strongest sentiment underlying the reaction on social media was the call for Zuma to be removed as president of the country.
Speaking in a statement, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane said Zuma is playing a high risk version of Russian roulette with “South Africa’s economy and future”. “Zuma is a humiliation and disaster for South Africa, who prioritises personal aspirations at the expense of the country”.
“There was no need for South Africa to have had to endure the effects of the poor, irrational decision made on Wednesday”.
The radical left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters, led by populist firebrand Julius Malema, said Zuma had turned South Africa into a “joke” and a “banana republic”. The EFF is calling for Zuma’s immediate resignation.
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United Democratic Movement President Bantu Holomisa said, “Zuma has lost control”.
