Vavi warns Zuma to leave Gordhan alone
Former Cosatu General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi said on Thursday they are aware of attempts by some to hijack Treasury.
Vavi warned President Zuma and the Guptas to stay away from Treasury, saying the fallout from Gordhan's sacking would be much worse than the firing of his predecessor Nhlanhla Nene in December.
He was speaking in Johannesburg where the New Trade Union Federation Steering Committee briefed the media on what it calls 'the local deepening political and socio-economic crisis'.
Vavi said although Treasury and government are no friends of the working class, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan must be defended.
The trade unionist believes South Africans have been too quiet amid the hijacking of various state departments and institutions.
"We must warn the president and the Guptas; stay away from the Treasury if you know what is good for you. We will not yet allow another state capture to be taken into new heights by the president on the cronies. Hands of Pravin. If you want to remove him, remove him and yourself for driving an anti-working class agenda at an economic level," Vavi said.
Vavi also pleaded with government to leave competent ministers to do their jobs, and not to play politics of patronage.