SACBC Statement: Catholic Church Deplores the Recall of Gordhan, Jonas; Warns Against a Repeat of the Nene Debacle
The Archbishop of Pretoria, the Most Reverend William Slattery, has issued the following Press Statement on behalf of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC):
Catholic Church Deplores the Recall of Gordhan, Jonas; Warns Against a Repeat of the Nene Debacle
The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has noted with deep concern reports that President Zuma has recalled Minister Gordhan and Deputy-Minister Jonas from their investment visit to the UK and the USA.
It is clear to us that Mr Gordhan and Mr Jonas have been working diligently to improve South Africa’s economic outlook, and to persuade investors that our country is a stable and attractive place to do business.
Without such investment, we cannot hope to provide jobs to our millions of unemployed men and women.
We cannot forget the disastrous consequences that followed President’s Zuma’s decision of December 2015 to fire the then-Finance Minister, Nhlanhla Nene.
It would be the height of irresponsibility were something similar to happen again, just as our economy shows signs of recovery.
Mr Gordhan enjoys widespread esteem for the work he has done to help the country recover from the Nene debacle. It would be a tragic irony if that work were now to be undone.
We call upon President Zuma to put South Africa first, and to publicly confirm his support for Mr Gordhan and Mr Jonas in their present positions.
Ends
For more information contact:
William Slattery
Cell: +27 (83) 468-5473
Email: slatteryws@gmail.com
Tel: +27 (12) 460-2055
Fax: +27 (12) 460-2452
