ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. (@MbalulaFikile/X formerly Twitter)
- Messages of support are pouring in for former minister Pravin Gordhan, who is gravely ill and in a hospital.
- There were fake reports of his death earlier on Thursday, but these were dismissed by those close to Gordhan.
- The ANC secretary-general paid Gordhan a visit after the family alerted his office about Gordhan’s hospitalisation.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has lambasted “insensitive” political opponents wishing death on former finance minister Pravin Gordhan, who is in a critical condition in a hospital after falling ill this week.
Making reference to fake social media reports that Gordhan was dead, Mbalula said some people had declared the retired minister dead while he was still alive.
He said this practice was “insensitive and harmful” and causes distress to families.
“It is only the family of comrade Pravin Gordhan that has got the authority to make such pronouncement and those who are delegated by the family if any such occurrence may happen. We urge the public to refrain from sharing unverified information and to show respect for the dignity and privacy of individuals and their families. This doesn’t only apply to PG [Gordhan], but also all those who were affected in the past,” Mbalula said.
He said the focus should be on Gordhan’s recovery instead of misinformation and that the ANC would continue to monitor the former minister’s condition and pledged the party’s support to his family.
Mbalula claimed the fake news was being spread by Gordhan’s enemies.
Gordhan’s work during his tenure at the National Treasury and SA Revenue Service (SARS), at the height of state capture, and his controversial later stint as public enterprises minister – at the peak of Transnet woes, Eskom’s load-shedding and the SAA-Takatso deal, among other crises – drew praise and criticism in equal measure.
“The family put it on record that indeed he was in hospital. It was correct for the family to do that given his standing in public but at the same time given the fact that those that are opposed to Gordhan seem to be on the overdrive of fake news in this regard, including some who made even public statements to wish him dead – which is unAfrican and at the same time, that’s not ubuntu,” Mbalula said.
He added:
Even if you differ with someone, you don’t wish anyone dead. In this particular regard, Pravin Gordhan was at the helm of the ANC’s programme and of this government of renewal … and many other things that he did for this nation and humanity.
“Anyone who steps up to fight corruption must be celebrated. And we will not fold our arms when such individuals’ history is being re-written and we fold our arms and say: ‘okay, let it pass’.”
Mbalula backed Gordhan as a custodian of truth and praised him for being present in the days of the struggle against apartheid.
Mbalula said the “mischief” against Gordhan’s name was coming from “well-known quarters”.
“And in this particular regard, they’re trying to portray PG as a villain. He’s not a villain; he’s a freedom fighter. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and if PG’s actions of fighting corruption have led to me being affected me as an individual, other people will not feel good about it,” Mbalula said.
[WATCH] This morning I visited Comrade Pravin Gordhan (PG) in hospital after receiving information from his family that he has been hospitalized.
Indeed, Comrade PG is currently in a critical condition and is receiving the necessary medical attention. He is surrounded by family… pic.twitter.com/ps4PQTkqbf— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) September 12, 2024
“For all intents and purposes, the work that he did was the work of taking the nation forward and the people of South Africa agreed with the call against graft and corruption.
“The ANC itself was moved to a better place in relation to the fight against corruption, moving from being philosophical about it to action and renewal, which includes a whole lot of things, including moving with speed and decisiveness on corruption associated with the ANC.”
He said in that context Gordhan was a “revolutionary”.
Mbalula said:
He will be counted among many in our country who have changed the course of history in that particular fight.
Mbalula attributed the globally respected work of SARS to Gordhan.
Mbalula wished Gordhan a speedy recovery.
WATCH | ‘Pravin, please hang in there’: Candlelight vigils held in Joburg, Durban for Gordhan in hospital
At question time with the media, Mbalula said the wishes for his death from his enemies is a testament of Gordhan’s impact.
“It took a man in a generation to stand up for what is good. If you look at those who are opposed to him and wish him dead and you look at where they come from, it tells you how far we have gone. I’m certain that a lot of good South Africans will recognise and celebrate PG’s work, like we went to the state capture…”
He said the ANC is fighting corruption because of leaders like Gordhan, “who stood up when it wasn’t fashionable and called a spade a spade”.
