South Africa's new Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan warned on Tuesday that corruption will not be tolerated under his watch as the head of Africa's biggest economy.
"I have no time for corruption and corrupt people," the country's former tax commissioner said in one of several interviews with local media a day after he took over the finance portfolio from long-serving Trevor Manuel.
"South Africa will do itself a great favour in the future if all of us ensure that we do not engage in any kind of corrupt or even mildly corrupt kind of activity," he said.
Gordhan's inclusion in new President Jacob Zuma's cabinet alongside the respected Manuel's redeployment to a powerful planning commission has been lauded amid pre-election jitters of a possible shift to the left.
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Gordhan, 60, drew wide praise for his work in the national revenue office and has been welcomed as the successor to Manuel whose stringent fiscal policies are credited with steering South Africa towards stability.
"President Zuma has said that we will continue with the sound policies that we've had before but where changes are required, by virtue of circumstances of policy, we will make the necessary changes," said Gordhan.
"This is early days and I am confident that we have a powerful team in the new Cabinet."
Zuma unveiled his 34 member cabinet on Sunday after his ruling African National Congress swept to victory, just weeks after the dramatic dropping of corruption charges against him.
The ANC named the fight against crime and corruption as a top priority. - AFP
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