Pravin Gordhan has been fired, and South Africa’s not amused

Pravin Gordhan is no longer the finance minister of South Africa.

After a late night meeting with the ANC’s top five in Pretoria, President Jacob Zuma has axed the country’s finance minister, and will reportedly rid another eight of their posts in a widespread cabinet reshuffle.

The news broke in the late hours of Thursday in South Africa, which sent the Rand tumbling to its lowest value against the Dollar in weeks. It also sent South Africans on social media into a frenzy, with a bevy of Twitter hashtags related to the incident trending within the country.

This all seems eerily similar to December 2015.

Some on the network noted the awkward timing of the announcement.

Confident, assured Presidents don’t hold pressers at 11 o’clock at night to announce they’ve fired half their cabinet. #CabinetReshuffle

— Chris Vick (@chrisvick3) March 30, 2017

Others questioned Zuma’s motives for firing Pravin Gordhan.

This is not a #CabinetReshuffle. It is a purge of those SACPers who stood up to a compromised Zuma. The target was always #PravinGordhan .

— Justice Malala (@justicemalala) March 30, 2017

Some just couldn’t help but use a Game of Thrones meme to explain their views.

Dear South Africans “Winter is here”#cabinetreshuffle

— mpho tshishonga (@mptshi) March 30, 2017

Humour aside though, the general tone of the tweets across the network is that of disappointment and disbelief.

#Zuma , you have outdone yourself again. Most hated man in SA. Your time to face justice is coming #cabinetreshuffle.

— Calvin Petersen (@calvin_calvyn) March 30, 2017

If Zuma quit right now, he could keep all the money he’s stolen for all I care… Just go man! Please! #Zuma

— Olivia Marmouget (@Olivia__M) March 30, 2017

But why is #zuma fast forwarding April fools. That’s just not nice. #cabinetreshuffle

— Andrew Levy (@yebo_levy) March 30, 2017

No-one in their right mind wants #Zuma (except his cronies as similarly in Zim).South Africans are all united to get rid of #1damage2SA

— René Kotzé (@ReneSKotze) March 30, 2017

Users are also watching the value of the Rand too (and expecting the very worst), currently sitting at R13.37/US$.

The Rand will be around R20 bucks to the Dollar by the time most wake up tomorrow,mcwi, strue

— Thulani (@ThulaniM16) March 30, 2017

And as for Pravin Gordhan? Twitter users laced the social network with mini-thank yous for the minister.

RT to support: Dear #PravinGordhan WE SUPPORT YOU! You may not be a Minister but you are a true leader! Stand up against state capture. pic.twitter.com/rqZVfkKGzp

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) March 30, 2017

RT to say THANK YOU to #PravinGordhan & #McebisiJonas for their holding the fort with selflessness & integrity under difficult circumstances

— Edward Kieswetter (@EdKieswetter) March 30, 2017

I have so much respect for this man. Staying true to his principles right to the bitter end. #PravinGordhan #CountryDuty pic.twitter.com/SzuzZKYfaP

— Natalie (@MothapoNatalie) March 30, 2017

The Presidency is set to hold a press conference tonight detailing the names of the axed ministers and their likely replacements.

Presidency says President Jacob Zuma will make an announcement relating to changes to the National Executive tonight, 30 March 2017.

— South African Gov (@GovernmentZA) March 30, 2017

This is a developing story and will be updated as we receive new information…

Feature image: International Monetary Fund via Flickr