Johannesburg – In the wake of the biggest Cabinet reshuffle since 1996, civil rights organisations and trade unions have taken to the streets on Friday to protest the removal of key ministers, especially Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Section27, SaveSA, and the newly-formed South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) called on all citizens to reject the firing of Gordhan.
This comes after President Jacob Zuma fired Gordhan as finance minister and replaced him with Malusi Gigaba, the former minister of home affairs, in a dramatic midnight Cabinet reshuffle. Gordhan's deputy, Mcebisi Jonas, was also axed and replaced by Sifiso Buthelezi.
Zuma fired five ministers in the far-reaching reshuffle.
Gordhan: It's been a great privilege to serve South Africa in different capacities for a long period of time #OccupyTreasury @AfriNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/0DWD4wWCln
— Jonisayi W. Maromo (@Jonisayi) March 31, 2017
Video - Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan addresses SaveSA protesters at National Treasury #OccupyTreasury @AfriNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/RrztNTO56K
— Jonisayi W. Maromo (@Jonisayi) March 31, 2017
Bold message ... An activist arrives to join #OccupyTreasury protest following #CabinetReshuffle @AfriNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/ajY519pvxN
— Jonisayi W. Maromo (@Jonisayi) March 31, 2017
#Gordhan thanking #SAFTU, @_SaveSA and @SECTION27news for the support. #OccupyTreasury@Notostatecapture pic.twitter.com/EAH9b0wBTH
— NEW FEDERATION (@SAFTU_media) March 31, 2017