South Africa's new Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan warned on Tuesday that
corruption will not be tolerated under his watch
as the head of Africa's biggest economy.
"I have no time for corruption and corrupt people,"
the country's former tax commissioner said in one of several interviews with
local media a day after he took over the finance portfolio from long-serving
Trevor Manuel.
"South Africa will do itself a great favour in the future if all of us
ensure that we do not engage in any kind of
corrupt or even mildly corrupt kind of activity," he said.
Gordhan's inclusion in new President Jacob Zuma's cabinet alongside the
respected Manuel's redeployment to a powerful planning commission has been
lauded amid pre-election jitters of a possible shift to the left.
Gordhan, 60, drew wide praise for his work in the national revenue office and
has been welcomed as the successor to Manuel whose stringent fiscal policies are
credited with steering South Africa towards stability.
"President Zuma has said that we will continue with the sound policies that
we've had before but where changes are required, by virtue of circumstances of
policy, we will make the necessary changes," said Gordhan.
"This is early days and I am confident that we have a powerful team in the new
Cabinet."
Zuma unveiled his 34 member cabinet on Sunday after his ruling African National
Congress swept to victory, just weeks after the
dramatic dropping of corruption charges against him.
The ANC named the fight against crime and
corruption as a top priority. - AFPRelated Articles
With acknowledgements to Cape Times.
Nice one Cyril.
Now that the boss pig has supped *2 (in)elegantly at the trough filled by the
French and Bumiputerian benefactors, corruption is set as a top priority.
But the question is whether to decimate the troughs or just to restrict access
to favoured snuvellers *1.
*1 Such as Chancellor House Holdings.
*2 And brunched and lunched.
No trough's too tough, we munch at five.