The director general of finance, Lungisa Fuzile, is resigning, less than a week after President Jacob Zuma fired Pravin Gordhan as finance minister.
Fuzile confirmed his resignation on Wednesday afternoon, saying he had asked Gordhan last week to have his contract redetermined to allow him to leave on May 15.
This happened in the wake of Zuma’s decision to order Gordhan and Fuzile back from talks with investors in London, citing a dubious intelligence report that they were undermining South Africa.
“Director General Lungisa Fuzile today confirms reports of his imminent departure at National Treasury. Fuzile’s contract was due to end in May 2018, however last week he requested former Minister Pravin Gordhan for a redetermination of his contract with the exit date of 15 May 2017,” said the National Treasury in a statement on Wednesday.
Fuzile’s contract was extended for a two-your term in 2016, after Gordhan returned to National Treasury.
The pair had a close working relationship, with Gordhan often commenting that South Africa was fortunate to have such a competent, committed head of the key department.
Sources said Fuzile had been deeply offended by being accused of a conspiracy and it had proven the final straw.
National Treasury said Fuzile and new Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba were discussing an appropriate departure date.
“Whilst Fuzile has indicated his flexibility to stay on for reasonable amount of time if needed, he and the Minister are in discussions on how to ensure that a smooth transition and the institutional strength of National Treasury is sustained and reinforced.”
It quoted Fuzile as saying the staff at the institution were highly professional and conscious of their “higher duty”, and that his exit along with that of Gordhan and Mcebisi Jonas, the former deputy minister of finance, would therefore not necessarily need to a change of direction.
“Their commitment and diligence is not attached to a minister,” he said.
– African News Agency (ANA)
