Parliament called Pravin Gordhan’s bluff after he threatens to take a committee to court

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan’s threats to a parliamentary committee was brushed aside

This was after Gordhan sent a letter to the committee threatening them with legal action for the committee reporting irregularities in the SAA sale

The committee slammed Gordhan and accused him of being disrespectful and throwing tantrums

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, the State of the Nation Address, politician-related news and elections at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years. Do you have a hard news story you would like to share? Email [email protected] with CA in the subject line.

Gordhan threatened to go to court because a committee wanted to report the SAA sale to the SIU. Images: Brenton Geach/Gallo Images and Jaco Marais/Die Burger/Gallo Images via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

PARLIAMENT – The Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, was slammed by the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, which accused him of throwing tantrums and being disrespectful. This was after Gordhan threatened the committee with legal action.

Gordhan threatens Parliament’s portfolio committee

According to The Citizen, the committee met on 27 March to discuss and adopt a report about the failed SAA sale to Takatso Consortium. This was after Gordhan announced that the sale was off because of allegations of irregularities.

Parliament slams Gordhan

The Economic Freedom Fighters’ MP Nqobile Mhlongo was furious that Gordhan was hesitant to hand over key documents and asking MPs about the South African Airways to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements. He also slammed him for sending a letter to the committee threatening to take legal action against them.

“If the minister feels that he should take this committee report to court for review, he is more than welcome to do so,” he said.

“We believe this report must be adopted, and we want the Special Investigating Unit to investigate this deal. We’re not going to play that game. Therefore, it is best to hand over the matter to the authorities.”

The committee adopted the report, which will be sent to the National Assembly.

South Africans laugh at Gordhan

Netizens on Facebook mocked Gordhan’s attempt to take legal action against the committee.

Iqbal Mota said:

“This one has lost it completely.”

Charles Papago Charlene said:

“What is he hiding?”

Sandra Cunningham said:

“Sounds like he’s afraid they will find something.”

Jongikhaya Ngcebetsha said:

“This Takatso deal is a blight in this man’s legacy. What a shame.”

Ronald Nyathi asked:

“Why would he even contemplate such a dumb move?”

Pravin Gordhan demands apology from ANCYL president

Similarly, Briefly News reported that Gordhan demanded that the ANC Youth League president, Collen Malatjie, apologise to him.

This was after Malatjie accused Gordhan of having the capacity to sell South Africa. South Africans stood with Malatjie and said he must not apologise.