ANC: Attacks on Gordhan undermine Zondo commission

Head of Presidency in the ANC Zizi Kodwa and national spokesperson Pule Mabe addressed the media outside the commission on Friday. 

"We are aware that in the recent few days there has been despicable campaigns led by other organisations, the EFF on one hand and the DA, to discredit some of the work done by this commission and the witnesses. We have seen the attack on comrade Pravin Gordhan, using his testimony to attack the integrity of this commission, including victimisation and intimidating other witnesses that are yet to appear. We think this is an element of Trumpisim which thrives on fear, hate, race polarisation, insults and vulgar," said Kodwa. 

The EFF has vowed to remove Gordhan from office, claiming he and his daughter Anusha are corrupt and have benefitted from unlawful tenders with several government departments. 

Party leader, Julius Malema addressed hundreds of EFF members on Tuesday, accusing the commission of being biased towards Gordhan. 

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Kodwa admitted that some of the revelations at the commission have left the party red-faced.

He says former secretary-general Gwede Mantashe is ready to appear before the commission on Tuesday. 

"We are ready for Tuesday, we are not going to run away from the responsibilities of being a governing party. The second part will be led by the President (Cyril Ramaphosa), having had all the submissions that are yet to come. Naturally, some of the revelations that come here are embarrassing to the ANC and we will deal with that. If there is a need for us to own up to some of the responsibilities, we will do that led by the president.” 

He says attacks from the EFF and the DA are meant to deflect from the two parties’ 'failed marriage' and to move attention away from what he says is their failure, which he says will be proven after next year’s general elections.