Kamini Padayachee
Prominent intellectuals, doctors and former judges have banded together to voice their “disgust” at what they have labelled “vicious and unsubstantiated attacks” on Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
A statement, issued by “Concerned Comrades of Pravin Gordhan”, was sent on Friday by Professor Jerry Coovadia on behalf of himself and 11 others.
The list of people supporting Gordhan includes Johannes Gouws, Dr JP Govender, Zak Yacoob, Farook Meer and Crispin Hemson.
The statement comes after media reports suggested that there were plans afoot to arrest Gordhan for espionage.
The group, which also includes former high court judge Thumba Pillay, said it was a “travesty” that Gordhan was being persecuted for standing up for “truth, clean governance and integrity”.
“We have found few comrades who sought to uphold the values, principles and programmes of the liberation movement with more conviction and commitment.”
The group, who said they included individuals who had worked with Gordhan for several decades, said there appeared to be a pattern of isolating and attacking state officials who wanted to ensure clean governance by investigating corruption on the part of “connected” individuals.
“No one is above the law, and our law enforcement institutions were established to conduct investigations without fear or favour, not to become the instrument of political and personal manipulation.”
The group made an appeal to ANC members to take a stand against the “abuse of power”.
The group also criticised those in the media who had been writing “sensational stories” about Gordhan’s arrest.
“It is unfortunate that some sections of the media may find themselves playing into the hands of certain sectarian agendas.”
Political analyst Thabani Khumalo, a political and communications commentator with Think Tank Marketing in Durban, said there appeared to be a “hidden agenda” to weaken Gordhan.
“There appears to be a campaign to weaken him. Therefore if reputable South Africans come out and say enough is enough, then they need to be supported.”
He said an attack on Gordhan undermined the office of the Finance minister, which jeopardised the country’s economic situation.
Political analyst Xolani Dube, of the Xubera Institute in Durban, however, said the group were displaying “misplaced excitement” because the ANC had reiterated its support for Gordhan, while the NPA and Hawks had both denied he was to be arrested.
If the group had a problem with the media, they should go to the Press Ombudsman, Dube said.