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Johannesburg - Politicians from various opposition parties took to Twitter on Wednesday night to express their disapproval of President Jacob Zuma's decision to remove Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane said the axing of Nene could open the door for a new jet, the nuclear deal, SA Airways and many others who had a "unfunded mandate".
"O swenkele [you are showing off] Jacob Zuma you will never come alright. Harsh lesson for Min of Finance Nene," he tweeted.
"What we need now is a finance minister who will demonstrate fiscal discipline and stand up to Pres, focus on growth for jobs," he said in another tweet.
EFF leader Julius Malema tweeted: "A declaration of a crises indeed, his party must now remove him. #ZumaMustFall."
Earlier on Wednesday, Zuma announced that Nene would be replaced by ANC MP David van Rooyen.
Nene was to be deployed to another "strategic position" which would be announced in due course.
Van Rooyen is a former mayor of the Merafong municipality and a former North West provincial chairperson of the South African Local Government Association.
He is currently the whip of the standing committee on finance and whip of the economic transformation cluster.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa also took to Twitter, saying: "#MinisterNene removed from the cabinet. His sin: He dared 2 touch SAA & refused JZJet. @N_Kwankwa."
He accused government of losing its direction and being morally and intellectually challenged.
Western Cape premier and former DA leader Helen Zille expressed shock at the move.
"What? Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene fired by Zuma? He did not take instructions. That's why. Now watch the economy crash. #Zumanomics," she tweeted.
In another tweet, she said Zuma did not understand the depth of the crisis he had unleashed.
Former Cope and ANC leader Mbhazima Shilowa tweeted: "I know the guy who's the new Finance Minister. He was a Mayor when I was Premier. He was a disaster hence he's removal 2 years ahead of 2011."
