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Gordhan works on budget while battle over fraud charges rages

While a court battle is underway over the fraud charges he faces‚ Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is preparing to table his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in Parliament on Wednesday.

Freedom Under Law and the Helen Suzman Foundation on Sunday served an urgent application to have the charges against Finance Minister Gordhan set aside.

The organisations claimed the charges against Gordhan were without foundation‚ and “at best‚ the charges reveal dizzying incompetence at the National Prosecuting Authority and the Hawks”.

“At worst‚ they confirm our suspicions: that the criminal justice system is being undermined to serve particular political interests‚” they said.

Gordhan has repeatedly brushed off the charges‚ and previously appealed: “I have a job to do in a difficult economic environment and have to serve South Africa as best I can. Let me do my job.”

When news of his being summonsed on the charges‚ announced at the press conference by National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams earlier this month‚ Treasury issued a statement saying Gordhan “wishes to assure the South African citizens that he will continue to serve the country and advance these objectives as long as called to do so by the president”.

It noted that “National Treasury is finalising the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement”‚ and Gordhan added: “I intend to continue doing my job. The cause of defending ethical leadership in government and throughout society is too important to allow ourselves to be deterred by this kind of harassment. The fight against corruption‚ maladministration‚ and waste of public resources will continue”.

His budget is set to begin at 2pm on Wednesday.

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