South African court orders Zuma to explain shock cabinet reshuffle

South African President, Jacob Zuma. A South African High Court Thursday ordered President Jacob Zuma to reveal the documents he used to justify the controversial sacking of a widely respected finance minister, sparking economic turmoil. / AFP PHOTO / RODGER BOSCH

A South African High Court Thursday ordered President Jacob Zuma to reveal the documents he used to justify the controversial sacking of a widely respected finance minister, sparking economic turmoil.


The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) went to court to force Zuma to explain the shock March 30 cabinet reshuffle in which Pravin Gordhan and his deputy removed were from their jobs.


Gordhan’s axing was said to be based on an “intelligence” report that showed he was allegedly plotting against Zuma.



Judge Bashir Vally gave Zuma five days to provide the records.


Vally said Zuma must give “the record of all documents and electronic records…that relate to the making of the decisions.”


Zuma has maintained that the axing of ministers were within his presidential powers, as stated in the constitution.


Gordhan’s removal triggered unprecedented criticism from within the ruling African National Congress top brass and its allies and spawned massive public protests for Zuma’s ouster.


His sacking caused the rand currency to plummet and the country’s sovereign credit rating was downgraded to “junk status” by global agencies Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.


The intelligence report which Zuma is said to have used to fire Gordhan has been dismissed by politicians as fake and Security Minister David Mahlobo last month said he had no knowledge of it.


Gordhan was at loggerheads with Zuma for months, receiving support from several ministers and major foreign investors, as well as many ordinary South Africans.


Critics have stated that the fired ministers were replaced by perceived Zuma allies.