TWEETS: SA not happy with Nene's dismissal
South Africa has taken to social media to voice their outrage following the news that President Jacob Zuma has replaced Nhlanhla Nene as Finance Minister.
"I have decided to remove Mr Nhlanhla Nene as Minister of Finance, ahead of his deployment to another strategic position, the president said in a statement on Wednesday evening.
The rand has regained a fraction of its value lost after President's Zuma's announcement that Nene will be replaced with parliamentarian, David van Rooyen. Our currency reached a record low of 15.24/US$.
Fitch ratings agency downgraded the South Africa's rating by one notch to BBB-, the lowest investment grade category. It cited the slowing economy and rising debt. Experts are now warning that credit rating agencies are expected to downgrade South Africa further to junk status.
Twitter was abuzz mere minutes after the announcement, with politicians to housewives questioning and speculating as to why Nene was booted from the Treasury.
Tonight’s announcement by President Zuma that he has fired Nene is a reckless and dangerous move that further damages the economy.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) December 9, 2015
A declaration of a crises indeed, his party must now remove him. #ZumaMustFall
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) December 9, 2015
#MinisterNene removed from the cabinet. His sin: He dared 2 touch SAA & refused JZJet. @n_kwankwa
— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) December 9, 2015
I'm really not coming to terms with this Nhlanhla Nene axing ... This can't be right guys, nah ah!!! 😒 #whenisZumafalling ?
— Queening (@Noxee_F) December 10, 2015
The list is growing: NPA, Hawks, SAPS, Intelligence, IEC, COSATU, ANCYL, SACP, SAA, SABC, ESKOM, PetroSA, DBSA, ANCWL, Treasury - next SA?
— Zwelinzima Vavi (@Zwelinzima1) December 10, 2015
Jacob Zuma, the one-man-wrecking ball! It all started in Polokwane December 2007. Now there will be NOTHING left when this man is done.
— Palesa Morudu (@palesamorudu) December 9, 2015
Nene was reluctant to sign that nuclear deal with Russia because it will consume the country's revenue he therefore took a fall for it
— Sabelo (@Mjitha) December 10, 2015
@MzLee_ Nene refused to give in the nuclear deal and SAA/Airbus deal. He tried to save us money. That's why he was fired.
— Msash (@ZnMsash1) December 10, 2015
Rand since #Nene pic.twitter.com/8As0wa96qS
— Karin Richards (@Richards_Karin) December 9, 2015
Zuma has effectively appointed himself as Finance Minister by firing Nene who has been curbing gvt spending & waste. Rand paying the price
— Mohamed Wehliye (@WehliyeMohamed) December 10, 2015
So Zuma fired Nene because he wrote figures in numbers instead of words, we all know our president's affection to numbers. ♥ #ZumaMustFall
— CHARIZMA (@YoCharizma) December 10, 2015