FORMER STRUGGLE STALWARTS IN SOUTH AFRICA LEND THEIR SUPPORT TO THE BESIEGED MINISTER OF FINANCE - PRAVIN GORDHAN

(MINISTER PRAVIN GORDHAN WITH JUDGE THUMBA PILLAY AT A FUNCTION IN DURBAN EARLY IN 2016) By Subry Govender A group of about 150 former struggle stalwarts and activists have given the besieged Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, their full support and solidarity against the harassment he is facing at the hands of the Hawks. They submitted a message and attached their names in a letter to Minister Gordhan on Thursday, September 1.

(MR SWAMINATHAN GOUNDEN AND MR KAY MOONSAMY)

(PROFESSOR JERRY COOVADIA, JUDGE THUMBA PILLAY AND DR FAROUK MEER)

(Mr Paddy Kearney, Mr Swaminathan Gounden and other stalwarts at a recent get together in Durban) The former struggle stalwarts and activists include Mr Swaminathan Gounden; Mr Kay Moonsamy, Ms Ela Gandhi, Ms Linda Zama, Professor David McQuoid-Mason, Dr Farook Meer, Ms Lindiwe Maqutu, Mr Paddy Kearney, Professor Jerry Coovadia, Judge Thumba Pillay, Judge Zak Yacoob, Dr Dilly Naidoo, Professor Yousuf Vawda, Ms Philadelphia Masuku, Ms Maggie Govender, Mr Yunis Shaik, Dr K N Ginwala, Ms Bongekile Mkhize, Mr Sam Ramsamy, Professor Warren Freedman, Mr Paul David, Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Ms Stohambile Memela, Ms Nomfundo Kakaza, Mr Devan Pillay, Mr Balan Gounder, Mr Subry Govender, Mr Charm Govender, Ms Duduzile Msomi, Professsor Imraan Coovadia, Mr Coastal Govender, Professor Carolyn Williamson, Mr Eben van der Merwe, and Ms Mpumelelo Sithole. In the letter to the Minister, the activists said as citizens of South Africa they were concerned at the continued harassment against him and his colleagues over the past few months “by the Hawks and other state agencies”. “We are concerned,” they said, “not only at the unwarranted attack on your persons but also at the wider economic, social and political implications of this abuse of state power”. They further stated: “It is apparent from public documents and information available to us that there is no factual or legal basis to bring charges against you. Despite this, these agencies have persisted in their punitive and unjustifiable conduct, which is negatively affecting your work in this important portfolio, as well as on your personal life. “We note, with appreciation, the sterling contribution you have made over four decades in the struggle for liberation, in helping to write the new Constitution, and in the democratic transformation of our society.” “Your work in the public service has been impeccable, be it as a Member of Parliament, Commissioner of SARS, or as a Cabinet Minister. Your example of service, integrity and clean governance appears to have made enemies of certain powerful forces, but you can take comfort from the fact that you have earned the respect and admiration of all fair-minded South Africans. “We stand in solidarity with you and your family, friends and comrades who have shared your ideals without compromising the vision and values of the liberation struggle. “We applaud the stand taken by you, as well as Ivan Pillay and others, in trying to maintain the National Treasury and SARS as credible institutions serving the public and not a few politically-connected business interests, and assure you that you are not alone. “The forces of corruption, nepotism, theft of public funds, and abuse of state institutions will be defeated.” Ends – subrygovender September 1 2016