Share

Gordhan demands apology from ANC after party says he 'attacked' black engineers

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan is demanding an apology from the ANC and the retraction of a statement the party issued on Wednesday.

According to the ANC's statement, Gordhan and Senzo Mchunu, both allies of President Cyril Ramaphosa, launched attacks on black professionals.

The party said it distanced itself from Gordhan and Mchunu and that it would seek to engage with them.

But in a letter addressed to Ace Magashule on Thursday, Gordhan says he rejects the ANC's assertions and that he finds them "extremely offensive".

"I want to state emphatically that I have not made any statements diminishing the status of black engineers," Gordhan's letter reads.

He adds: "It would appear that some individuals at Luthuli House give more credence to the orchestrated utterances of individuals like Matshela Koko who has done so much damage at Eskom. Accordingly, I must insist on a retraction and an apology from the ANC spokesperson."

The ANC's communication was issued under the names of Zizi Kodwa and Dakota Legoete, the party's acting spokespersons.

Another spokesperson, who did not want to be named, told News24 that Gordhan and Mchunu blamed "black professionals" for the dire situation that the parastatal was in.

Neither Kodwa nor Legoete answered their phones when called for comment.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Can radio hosts and media personalities be apolitical?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes, impartiality is key for public trust
31% - 472 votes
No, let's be real, we all have inherent biases
69% - 1035 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.29
-0.7%
Rand - Pound
23.87
-1.1%
Rand - Euro
20.58
-1.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
-1.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
-1.2%
Platinum
943.50
+0.0%
Palladium
1,034.50
-0.1%
Gold
2,391.84
+0.0%
Silver
28.68
+0.0%
Brent Crude
87.29
+0.2%
Top 40
67,314
+0.2%
All Share
73,364
+0.1%
Resource 10
63,285
-0.0%
Industrial 25
98,701
+0.3%
Financial 15
15,499
+0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE