Finance minister debacle continues to stalk Zuma

CAPE TOWN – President Jacob Zuma's reshuffling of finance ministers will continue to stalk him in Parliament on Thursday.

Zuma will face questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) in the National Assembly about his decision to sack former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene and replace him with African National Congress (ANC) MP Des van Rooyen in December.

Van Rooyen’s appointment sent shockwaves through the country's capital markets, wiping billions of rands off the value of bank shares.

He was replaced by Pravin Gordhan four days later in a move to placate investors.

Finance minister debacle continues to stalk Zuma

According to a list of questions published last week, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane will ask Zuma whether he consulted anyone before he appointed and then replaced van Rooyen.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema wants to know whether Gordhan recommended someone be fired when he took over from van Rooyen in December.

The rift between Gordhan and South African Revenue Service (Sars) Commissioner Tom Moyane as well as the Hawks probe into a so-called rogue unit at Sars will cast a shadow over the president's appearance.

MPs will be gunning for Zuma amid reports that Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas was offered the top ministerial post during a meeting between members of the influential Gupta family and Zuma's son Duduzane, two weeks before Nene was fired.