Pravin Gordhan mum on Gupta meeting with Finance deputy
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan kept mum on Monday following weekend reports that his deputy minister had been offered the top job at the Treasury.
Gordhan was specifically asked how much he knew, but he maintained he had no personal knowledge of this alleged meeting with the controversial Gupta family. According to the Sunday Times, deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas was offered the top finance job ahead of the sacking of Nhlanhla Nene was sacked.
Minister Gordhan referred reporters to a statement Treasury issued this morning. He reiterated that weekend report by the Sunday Times, that a senior source within the department confirmed meetings between Jonas and both the Guptas and the ANC's Jessie Duarte, was inaccurate.
Gordhan said if they do find out that someone crossed the line, that person would be dealt with.
"We can assure Ms Duarte that the Treasury is not in the habit of engaging in this kind of conduct," he said.
Gordhan said any engagement with Jonas over these alleged meetings was none of the media's business.
Feedback on investor's roadshow
Gordhan said South Africans would have to work together to avoid a credit rating downgrade.
Gordhan briefed the media on his investor roadshow in the UK and US last week.
He said if worst comes to worst and the country is downgraded to junk status by the international ratings agencies, Treasury is prepared to roll up its sleeves.
"What's the plan if we get downgraded? Get upgraded. It's a simple plan, but it's not as simple to do. Once you get downgraded, on the average it takes you five years or more to work your way up again. So, you don't want to end up there as a country, for whatever reason," Gordhan said.
Edited by Marius van der Walt