President Cyril Ramaphosa has released a statement reprimanding Finance Minister Tito Mboweni for his comments over the firing of Bank of Zambia governor Denny Kalyalya.
The Presidency of South Africa released the following statement:
The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, has strongly reprimanded the Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, following comments made by the Minister on social media regarding the removal of Zambia’s Central Bank Governor by President Edgar Lungu.
In one of his tweets, Minister Mboweni is promising to mobilise if not given reasons why the Central Governor has been fired by President Lungu.
President Ramaphosa wishes to assure the government and people of the Republic of Zambia that the unfortunate remarks do not reflect the views of the South African Government and its people.
The issue is being addressed to ensure that such an incident does not occur again.
South Africa and Zambia enjoy strong historical relations dating back to the days of the struggle against apartheid. South Africa remains committed to maintaining the deep and solid bonds of friendship between the peoples of South Africa and Zambia.
Following the firing of Denny Kalyalya, Mboweni Tweeted:
“Presidents in Africa must stop this nonsense of waking up in the morning and fire a Central Bank Governor! You cannot do that. This is not some fiefdoms of yours! Your personal property?! No!!”
“No. That Governor was a good fella. Why do we do these things as Africans. The President of Zambia must give us the reasons why he dismissed The Governor or else hell is on his way. I will mobilize!
The comments did not sit well with the Zambian government and its spokesperson called out Mboweni for interfering in affairs of a sovereign state.
Dora Siliya, responded angrily by tweeting:
“We are very surprised with Tito Mboweni’s immature and improper criticism of a sovereign decision by Zambia.
“The Minister should be attending to COVID problems facing the South Africans, our focus here. We will pursue matter diplomatically.”
Read More: I’m not resigning – Tito Mboweni
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