South Africans stand against Zuma's plan to sack finance minister

The South African Communist Party, allies of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), formally objected to a plan by President Jacob Zuma to sack Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, a senior SACP official said on Thursday.

The party registered its objection during a meeting with Zuma on Monday, deputy secretary general Solly Mapalia told a media conference.

President Jacob Zuma ordered Pravin Gordhan to return from an investor roadshow to Britain and the United States immediately without giving any reason.

A government source told Reuters that the summon is because the president “did not give permission for the trip.”

Speculations heightened over the replacement of Gordhan who has received a lot of support after his return from London .

Gordhan was praised on Wednesday at the funeral of anti-apartheid hero Ahmed Kathrada and Jacob Zuma criticized for allegedly planning to sack the minister.

Zuma himself did not attend the funeral upon the request of the family of Kathrada who was critical of the president and had asked him to resign last year due to the controversies surrounding him.

There is an ongoing social media campaign against the sacking of Pravin Gordhan via the hashtag #SavePravin.

Hands off our Finance minister #SavePravin

— Percy (@Percy627) March 30, 2017

this poor man is doing his best for SA but the Zupta and his Indian masters are trying there best to break it #SavePravin

— michael van rensburg (@michaelvanrens5) March 30, 2017

Thank you JZ, you have brought SA together in a united cause. Together our country can grow strong… without you. #SavePravin

— Majicalady (@Majicalady) March 30, 2017

Is it possible #Zuma cn reshuffle himself #SavePravin #cabinetreshuffle

— #helpthenation (@menzeka15) March 30, 2017

#Zuma, don't do it. We know you want to but think of 55 million South Africans #savepravin

— TMARC (@1TMARC) March 27, 2017

I support #pravin. Share if you are tired of #zuma and his cronies. #savepravin #anc #southafrica #Gordhan pic.twitter.com/lOnywjH8aK

— Huffington Poser (@DurtyDurban) August 30, 2016