President Jacob Zuma has summoned the rest of the ANC's top six to an urgent meeting in Pretoria.
It is not clear what the meeting is about.
The
officials, Cyril Ramaphosa‚ Baleka Mbete‚ Gwede Mantashe‚ Jessie Duarte
and Zweli Mkhize, were called to a meeting at short notice to the
presidential home, Mahlambandlopfu, at 18:30.
Some ministers were informed to be on standby.
News24
understands that nine ministers, including Finance Minister Pravin
Gordhan, and six deputy ministers will be affected by the reshuffle.
The
SACP, an alliance partner of the ANC, confirmed on Thursday that Zuma
told the party on
Wednesday that he planned to fire Gordhan and his
deputy Mcebisi Jonas based on an "intelligence report".
The report
contains claims that Gordhan and Jonas were going to use the trip to
the UK and US to push for a change in government.
Gordhan was summarily recalled from the UK leg of the trip on Monday. Zuma gave no official reasons.
According
to the report, Gordhan, Jonas and Treasury director general Lungisa
Fuzile had set up "secret meetings" to start "operation Check Mate" and
to tell investors they stood together against Zuma and the corruption of
the Guptas.
Zuma faces a rebellion within his own party should he fire Gordhan, with about 12 ministers considering resigning from
their positions and then fighting for the president's removal if he
goes ahead, according to four people familiar with the situation.
Deputy President Ramaphosa and some deputy ministers may also resign, the sources said, asking not to be identified because the information isn't public.
Deputy President Ramaphosa and some deputy ministers may also resign, the sources said, asking not to be identified because the information isn't public.
The officials would keep their seats in Parliament and
possibly support or abstain from a vote of no confidence in the
president if it is called by the opposition or by members of the ANC,
said the sources.
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