Pravin Gordhan – a former long-time minister of multiple portfolios in the SA government and who is a former Commissioner of the South Africa Revenue Service (Sars) an anti-apartheid activist and ANC politician – has passed away, his family confirmed on Friday morning.
This follows Gordhan being admitted to hospital earlier this week and his retirement from government and politics before the national elections in May.
“It is with profound sadness that the Gordhan family announces the passing of former Minister Pravin Gordhan,” the family said in a statement.
The official statement was issued on behalf of the Gordhan family by Adrian Lackay, Gordhan’s former spokesperson when he was Sars Commissioner.
“Gordhan passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family, closest friends and his lifelong comrades in the liberation struggle in the early hours of this morning,” the statement read.
“Mr Gordhan, 75, was a committed political activist since his teenage years. He elected to retire from active politics after this year’s general election to spend time with his family.
“His last portfolio in the South African Cabinet was Minister of Public Enterprises, from 2018 to 2024, after serving two terms as Minister of Finance, from 2009 to 2014 and again from 2015 to 2017. He also served as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2015,” it added.
Gordhan served under both the administrations of former president Jacob Zuma, and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
His relationship soured with Zuma, following State Capture under the Zuma administration, which later saw the establishment of the Zondo Commission into State Capture in SA.
Before his ministerial roles, Gordhan led Sars to become one of the best-run state institutions.
“In a distinguished career – from March 1999 to 2009 – he was the Commissioner of Sars and transformed Sars into a world-class tax and customs administration,” the statement on Friday said.
This story first appeared in Moneyweb and is republished with permission.
