Zuma had his heart set on Tom Moyane, Gordhan tells Zondo Commission

Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan told the State Capture Commission of Inquiry on Monday that in the same way that Zuma "would not hear of another candidate" for Transnet CEO other than Siyabonga Gama, Zuma also had his heart set on Tom Moyane as SARS Commissioner.

Gordhan's testimony echoed that of former Public Enterprises minister Barbara Hogan who testified last week.

Gordhan’s insights in this regard came from conversations he said he had with Zuma about the SA Revenue Service after former commissioner Oupa Magashula was dismissed. These exchanges happened when Gordhan was still minister of finance under Zuma’s second administration.

Gordhan told the commission chair and deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo that he moved to advise the president to test his preferred candidate against others when choosing the next SARS commissioner. Gordhan said he was ignored by then-president Zuma.

“I accept the limitation of my place in government. Having the vantage point of looking at all the pieces of the puzzle, I can say we can all supply you with pieces and allow you to come to the conclusion that you need to,” said Gordhan of the way in which Zuma decided on appointments.

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