South African court has ordered President Jacob Zuma to provide reasons for his firing of the the country’s former Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan.
The midnight cabinet reshuffle has led to two ratings downgrades.
The country’s biggest opposition party took the case court – Arguing Zuma’s decision to fire Gordhan was irrational and illegal.
TVC’s Vauldi Carelse reports that Gordhan had last month rubbished the reason given for this firing.
The intelligence report the President reportedly relied upon indicated Gordhan and his deputy wanted to overthrow the state. That report was widely circulated and criticized in South Africa.
But President Jacob Zuma and the ruling party have always maintained – the decision to hire and fire ministers is the prerogative of the President. And he didn’t need to provide reasons to the opposition or the country.
But a judge in the North Gauteng High Court disagreed and ordered Zuma to hand over all records related to the recent midnight cabinet reshuffle to the Opposition.
The Democratic Alliance took the case to court on the basis that decision to fire Gordhan was irrational and illegal. It says it’s scored another major court victory against Zuma.
The President has a week in which to comply with the order but it’s not clear, yet, if he will appeal this decision.
