Public Enterprises committee dismisses Gordhan's claims of personal vendetta against him

CAPE TOWN - The portfolio committee on Public Enterprises dismissed allegations by Minister Pravin Gordhan that there was a personal vendetta against him.

Committee chairperson, Khaya Magaxa, said there were “minor differences” between Gordhan and some of its members, but they worked well with him previously.

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Magaxa was responding to Gordhan’s statement that the committee chair had a political agenda in the now-cancelled South African Airways (SAA) and Takatso transaction.

This came after the committee resolved to request the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate the deal.

Gordhan’s spokesperson, Ellis Mnyandu, this week said the minister was appalled by Magaxa insinuating that the deal was dodgy.

"Magaxa appears instead to have gone on what increasingly looks to be a rogue campaign to accuse and convict the DPE [Department of Public Enterprises], and by extension, Minister Pravin Gordhan of impropriety without a shred of verifiable evidence."

In his own statement on Friday, Magaxa said the differences with Gordhan pertained to gaining access to confidential documents and there was nothing personal.

He said they always appreciated Gordhan as a man of integrity with "enormous credibility".

But Magaxa said the issue was about investigating allegations by former department Director-General Kgathatso Tlhakudi and the committee wanted justice for both parties.