ANC stalwart calls EFF out for calling Gordhan corrupt

African National Congress (ANC) stalwart Mavuso Msimang has critisised comments made by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) accusing the late former Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan of having been corrupt. The party referred to the legacy of the former minister as one of failure, exploitation and corruption.

Msimang was speaking to the media outside Gordhan’s home where many ANC members visited to offer their condolences to his family.

Gordhan died this morning following a battle with cancer.

“There’s a statement that was issued by the EFF saying things falsely. It’s a lie that the person was corrupt. But you wonder, in fact, how an organisation that doesn’t quite tell you where it gets its funds other than what we hear about tobacco smugglers, an organisation that gets linked somehow with the VBS scandal, to really have the moral rectitude to accuse Pravin Gordhan of having been a corrupt person,” says Msimang.

Political parties have given mixed reactions to the legacy of Pravin Gordhan.

“The Democratic Alliance (DA) sends our condolences to the family of Mr Pravin Gordhan who passed away this morning. Mr Gordhan was a longstanding member of parliament, a minister in government as well an activist. I do not think the people out there realise how big a part of Mr Gordhan’s life he spent working for the people of South Africa. We wish his family all the best during this difficult time, and we send our condolences to them,” says Willie Aucamp, DA Spokesperson.

However, the EFF was not as kind Gordhan’s legacy.

“The Economic Freedom Fighters notes the death of Pravin Gordhan, and we note it without any pretence of sorrow. Gordhan was the man whose legacy was deeply intertwined with the destruction of our state-owned enterprises, and this is the betrayal of the people of South Africa,” says Leigh-Ann Mathys, EFF Spokesperson.

Video: Pravin Gordhan – Gordhan’s legacy is one of failure: EFF

Mourners visit Gordhan home: