Presidency clarifies ANC statement on the visit to Lesotho by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa

Pretoria - The Presidency has been inundated with media queries from several media houses with regard to a statement made by ANC Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was in Lesotho last week when Mr David Van Rooyen was initially sworn in as Minister of Finance.

The Presidency wishes to state that on the day of the swearing in of Mr Van Rooyen as Minister of Finance, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa  was in consultation with a delegation from the office of the Chairperson of the SADC Organ Troika and Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi regarding preparations for an urgent visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

These consultations followed a decision of the SADC Organ Troika held on the margins of the China-Africa Summit held at the Sandton Convention Centre which decided that the Deputy President in his capacity as Facilitator should visit Lesotho as a matter of urgency. The purpose of the visit was to convey SADC’’s concerns regarding a court case that had been brought against the SADC Commission of Inquiry by a Lesotho citizen. As a result of those consultations the visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho went ahead on 16 December 2015.

The Presidency further wishes to state that Deputy President Ramaphosa was involved in all consultations with President Jacob Zuma and all other stakeholders regarding the appointment of Mr David Van Rooyen. In this context and as stated by the ANC, Deputy President Ramaphosa led on behalf of ANC officials the briefing to the ruling party’s National Working Committee outlining the process that led to the reappointment of Pravin Gordhan as Minister of Finance.

The Presidency is of the view that any other suggestion from the stated facts is nothing but an attempt to create suspicion, sow divisions and mistrust the highest echelons of government. Deputy President Ramaphosa was and remains part of the government collective that sought to stabilise the ministry of finance.

Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Issued by: The Presidency

Pretoria