Another sacked South African minister resigns as MP

South Africa’s former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas has resigned as a member of parliament after his sack by President Jacob Zuma last week.

His resignation announced by the African National Congress follows that of sacked transport minister Dipuo Peters who also lost her job after the much-criticized cabinet reshuffle.

“Comrade Jonas has served both as Deputy Minister and MP with absolute distinction and dedication,” the office of the ANC Chief Whip said in a statement.

Mcebisi Jonas’ sack followed his recall together with Pravin Gordhan from an investor roadshow in London due to alleged secret meetings they were holding to undermine the government at the event.

Sacked finance minister Pravin Gordhan has said that the intelligence report that linked him to a massive conspiracy to undermine the country was “absolute nonsense”.

Gordhan received a lot of support from the public and some members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) who later backtracked to support Zuma.

South African opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has received the backing of firebrand Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party to table a motion of no confidence against Zuma for the reshuffle.

The speaker of parliament Baleka Mbete, who is also the national chairperson of the ANC said last week that she would consider the request from the opposition parties.