Zuma son weighs in on dad's battle with Gordhan

04 September 2016 - 02:00 By NATHI OLIFANT

President Jacob Zuma's son Edward has taken it upon himself to speak on behalf of his embattled father over the Pravin Gordhan saga. The sideshow by Zuma's eldest son has seen him hitting out at his father's critics, such as former ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa, former finance minister Trevor Manuel and radio personality Gareth Cliff.Edward's posture has tongues wagging, with many wondering if he has become his father's mouthpiece.However, Presidency spokesman Bongani Ngqulunga said Edward was speaking for himself."Edward has clearly stated that he speaks in a personal capacity. He's an adult in his own right and his utterances should not be confused as expressing the views of the president," said Ngqulunga.While Zuma is yet to face the wrath of the country on the issue since leaving on August 26 for various international summits, Edward has gone for the jugular, warning that the finance minister was not above the law.story_article_left1"We should also not be fooled by so-called rating agencies. They want you to believe that the rand will crumble because of the super minister Gordhan. Don't you think that if he had nothing to hide he should just walk into the Hawks' office all confident and answer the questions? Why hide behind a curtain of deception, panic, as if he's hiding something?" said Edward.He has insisted to the Sunday Times that his statements are being uttered in his personal capacity and have nothing to do with his father.In a heated tirade in May, Edward said Gordhan had become the "darling of the white monopoly capital and his Stellenbosch bosses being Johann Rupert and crew".Rupert threatened to sue Edward, saying his statements were defamatory and demanded Zuma rein him in.Edward dared Rupert to act."Pravin wants to be categorised as a victim in all this, whereas he is the culprit in these matters dating back to his tenure as commissioner in SARS [South African Revenue Service] where he turned that institution to a law unto itself."He said Manuel and others were still ripping off the country financially through state-owned companies and institutions such as the Government Employees Pension Fund."Why should we as citizens allow them to say that Jacob Zuma should face criminal charges yet they don't want Pravin to face them?"Is Pravin above the law now? They are quick to defend Pravin citing economic stability and so forth ... there was stability before Pravin and there shall be stability after Pravin."..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.