Pravin Gordhan was not told he had been replaced

Pravin Gordhan was not told late last night he had been replaced as President Jacob Zuma effected a far-reaching Cabinet reshuffle.

The move follows a meeting of the ANC’s top six on Thursday night at which Zuma informed them of his decision, Business Day reported.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba replaced Gordhan as finance minister. Gordhan's deputy, Mcebisi Jonas, is being replaced by Sfiso Buthelezi‚ who joined Parliament in March 2016.

• FIRED‚ MOVED and SAFE: These are the ministers hit by Zuma's swinging axePresident Jacob Zuma effected his latest Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday; a merry-go-round that saw no less than 10 changes to his ministers alone. 

Gordhan’s removal is set to have far-reaching consequences for Zuma and the ANC. Gigaba is seen as a close ally of the president and is among his loyalists in the current Cabinet.

But there was not much detail as the Presidency made the special announcement late on Thursday night.

Zuma stepped back from his initial pick for finance minister at the request of his top five colleagues in the ANC — his initial choice was former Eskom boss Brian Molefe.

• Zuma's night of long knives risks ANC splitPresident Jacob Zuma fired Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and eight other cabinet members in a high-stakes power play that may threaten his own presidency and place the nation’s investment grade credit rating at risk. 

Zuma had delayed his planned reshuffle for three days, but his move on Thursday night could be taken as an indication that he had made a decision on the various objections raised. Zuma effected the move despite pressure piling up on him.

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