OVERVIEW: 'Guptas wanted 4 people removed from Treasury' - Fuzile tells #StateCaptureInquiry how 'picture' unfolded

Fuzile: You start the week with trying to make the budget for the country. There is an annoucement that fees for higher education were going to be frozen for a year. 

He says he didn't know about this but he was the DG.

Fuzile says he was not given any warning that Nene would be dismissed in December 2015. 

After learning about Nene's dismissal, he visited Nene at his home. The first thing Nene told him was "I don't have a job."

Fuzile confirms receiving message from Nene on the day of his removal saying 'the axe has fallen'. 

Understood it to mean that he has been fired. 

Fuzile added the prediction in the media about a Cabinet reshuffle and the replacement of Nene.

Asked about Cabinet meeting about removal of Nene.

Confirms sharing a fond relationship with Nene.

"I've been lucky, I've had good relationship with most ministers I've worked with."

Although SA's budgeting process is one of the most transparent and advanced processes in the world, it becomes a difficult task.

Budgeting is giving up on something, that is when the difficulty arises. It's an inconvenient part. 

Uses free higher education as an example.

It becomes a case of "I wish I could give you this thing, but our country cannot afford it".

Fuzile says the organisation’s preparation of the budget for the country is one of the most important jobs at Treasury.

Asked to explain in ordinary terms what is a budget:

A budget is an expression in numbers of the aspirations and wishes of a nation, he says. An allocation of resources after promises are made.

Fuzile explains the role of DG:

DG is a chief advisor to minister and deputy. The DG doesn't make policy, but is a key advisor, he says. A minister makes policy, but does not has to do the technical wack, that would then become the job of DG

Says he was reluctant to take the job, initially.

"I yielded, took the job. Five years on my contract was close to expiring (May 2016).

When Mr Gordhan returned to Treasury he said 'My returning to Treasury has implications for your career plans'. I knew what that meant," he tells the commission.

Now dealing with Fuzile's statement. Reference will be made to whistleblower information provided.

Fuzile will be asked whether this information was known to Treasury, and what was done with this information. 

Pretorius tells Zondo that (former Treasury DG Lungisa) Fuzile will be testifying after the lunch break, led by Advocate Maleka, and Zondo calls for the adjournment.

Pretorius informs Zondo that the legal teams of Tom Moyane and Shaun Abrahams are present at the commission today.

Moyane's legal representative tells Zondo they will be seeking an application to cross-examine Gordhan. 

Zondo thanks Gordhan once again, reminds him that he may be summoned or requested to appear before the commission again, and excuses him. 

Advocate Paul Pretorius now moves on to some legal applications with Zondo.

Gordhan finishes with a flourish, quoting Nelson Mandela and also the famous "No one left to speak for me" quote, to much applause around the commission venue.