No war between Presidency and Treasury, says Zuma

President Jacob Zuma.

President Jacob Zuma.

Published Sep 13, 2016

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Parliament - President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday denied tensions between the National Treasury and his office as he answered questions about the economy during his quarterly question and answer session in the National Assembly.

“There is no war between the presidency and treasury,” Zuma said before embarking on his signature giggle.

Zuma distanced himself from remarks by his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa last week, warning against the dangers of a government at war with itself.

“Earlier I said I don’t know any war within government. I’m saying, you ask Ramaphosa. I am saying there is no war within government and that is a clear answer.”

Zuma again dismissed reports that have dogged his office that he was in a battle with Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan over control of the treasury. He further insinuated that Ramaphosa’s comments at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) annual summit was incorrect.

“Whatever perceptions people might have and perceptions are perceptions. If there are people who make statements about whatever, if those statements are wrong, we deal with the matter. “

The president said he was currently in discussions with Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane, who drew the ire of the presidency, the ruling party and its alliance partners, among others, when he issued a statement almost two weeks ago recommending that Zuma should institute a judicial inquiry into allegations that banks acted “unilaterally and allegedly in collusion” when they closed the banks accounts linked to the Gupta family and broke ties with Oakbay Investments.

The presidency later issued a statement saying Zwane did not speak for Cabinet, saying his comments were made in his personal capacity.

“I’ve started discussing the matter with him,” said Zuma on Tuesday, adding that MPs should not “balloon” the issue.

African News Agency

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