Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

South Africa: Ex-finance minister Pravin Gordhan warns ANC will lose power

SOUTH AFRICA'S former finance minister Pravin Gordhan, who was dramatically fired by president Jacob Zuma, has warned that the ruling ANC party could lose power in the next election.

Indian-origin Gordhan - widely seen as a bulwark against government corruption in South Africa - also appeared to back deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed Zuma.


"I think there are many of us who are extremely worried that if we continue as we are in the African National Congress (ANC), we are likely to lose the 2019 elections," Gordhan told CNN late yesterday (27).

"If we, like any business organisation or political organisation, fail to muster the right leadership, stick by the right kind of values and do the right thing... then of course we will, as an organisation, fail."

The party slipped to 55 per cent of the vote in last year's local elections - its worst-ever result.

The ANC will hold a conference in December to pick a new party leader who will be its candidate for the 2019 elections - and Gordhan gave his clearest indication yet that he will back Ramaphosa to succeed Zuma.

"Mr Ramaphosa has been extremely brave. He has spoken truth to power at difficult times," said Gordhan.

"He has demonstrated that he is a leader of great mettle that would serve South Africa well into the future."

Zuma, 75, is due to step down as head of the ANC in December, and as president ahead of the 2019 general election.

Among many corruption scandals, he has been accused of being in the sway of the wealthy Gupta business family, allegedly granting them influence over government appointments and contracts.

His midnight cabinet reshuffle last month unleashed a rebellion within the ANC with senior party figures, including Ramaphosa, speaking out against Gordhan's sacking.

The cabinet overhaul cleared out many of Zuma's critics and placed loyalists in key positions.

"We have had a report... last year which mapped out some of the kind of corruption between certain families and certain state institutions it would appear is taking place," said Gordhan.

(AFP)

More For You

In 2022, as chair of the Criminal Bar Association, Jo Sidhu led strikes over legal aid rates, which resulted in the suspension of court proceedings in England and Wales. (Photo: Getty Images)
In 2022, as chair of the Criminal Bar Association, Jo Sidhu led strikes over legal aid rates, which resulted in the suspension of court proceedings in England and Wales. (Photo: Getty Images)
In 2022, as chair of the Criminal Bar Association, Jo Sidhu led strikes over legal aid rates, which resulted in the suspension of court proceedings in England and Wales. (Photo: Getty Images)

KC Sidhu found guilty of misconduct over hotel room incident

Navjot “Jo” Sidhu KC, 58, has been found guilty of professional misconduct by a disciplinary tribunal for inviting an aspiring barrister to spend the night in his hotel room during a criminal trial.

The tribunal unanimously ruled that Sidhu’s invitation to the paralegal, who was on work experience with him, was “entirely of a sexual nature and entirely inappropriate in all the circumstances,” The Times reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Leicestershire Police

According to Leicestershire Police, the two male passengers remain in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. (Photo: X/@leicspolice)

According to Leicestershire Police, the two male passengers remain in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. (Photo: X/@leicspolice)

Indian student dies, four injured in Leicestershire road accident

A 32-YEAR-OLD Indian student has died in a road accident in Leicestershire, with four others hospitalised with serious injuries, according to police.

Chiranjeevi Panguluri, a passenger in the car, died at the scene when the vehicle left the road and came to rest in a ditch. The accident, involving a grey Mazda 3 Tamura, occurred on Tuesday morning as the car travelled from Leicester towards Market Harborough.

Keep ReadingShow less
care workers

New report exposed a system that has pushed vulnerable carers into financial and emotional turmoil. (Photo for representation: iStock)

Carer's allowance penalties trap many in debt: report

HUNDREDS of thousands of unpaid carers have been hammered by harsh penalties for minor rule breaches, a damning national audit has revealed.

The National Audit Office (NAO) report exposed a system that has pushed vulnerable carers into financial and emotional turmoil.

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman alleges sex GP Thomas Plimmer tried to choke her

The woman described feeling scared and worried that he might cut off her airway (Photo for representation: iStock)

Woman alleges sex GP Thomas Plimmer tried to choke her

A woman has come forward alleging that a former GP, struck off for misconduct, attempted to choke her during an intimate encounter without her consent.

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she met Thomas Plimmer on a dating app in 2017. On their second date at her home, she claimed he “started squeezing my throat” during sex, despite no prior discussion or agreement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Planning overhaul targets 1.5 million new homes

Keir Starmer speaks during an Advent reception in Downing Street, London, December 11, 2024. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS.

Planning overhaul targets 1.5 million new homes

BRITAIN on Thursday (12) outlined details of an overhaul to its planning system to help boost growth and hit a target of 1.5 million new homes in the next five years, including ordering local authorities to build more houses.

The housebuilding target was one of six measurable "milestones" announced by prime minister Keir Starmer a week ago, as he pledged to revamp a planning system he described as having a "chokehold" on growth.

Keep ReadingShow less