Mboweni says he is staying
2008-09-23 14:26
Johannesburg - The South African Reserve Bank's communications department confirmed on Tuesday that Governor Tito Mboweni
would not be resigning in the wake of the Cabinet resignations announced on
Tuesday.
Mboweni's spokesperson confirmed that his stance as stated on September 2 remained.
"My own position is that I have been Governor of the Bank since August
1999 and I will complete my current term in August 2009. If asked to serve,
I will. That should put that issue to rest and I will not entertain that question in future," said Mboweni in his speech on September 2.
That speech followed some uncertainty around Mboweni's desire to
continue in his post under a new government.
The markets have been apprehensive around both Mboweni and [Finance Minister] Manuel's future under a new regime after their stewardship under Mbeki had seen to the best economic growth in the country's history.
Manuel, 10 ministers quit
Dramatic events followed on Tuesday with Manuel noted as among 11
Cabinet ministers and three deputy ministers who have resigned.
Deputy Finance Minister, Jabu Moleketi also resigned, according to the statement, apparently opening a void in the successful department.
But a statement from Manuel's spokesperson followed, saying that Manuel
may indeed be willing to serve under a new Cabinet.
It has long been rumoured that Manuel may resign in favour of a post at
an international financial body.
Their letters of resignation had been received by President Thabo
Mbeki "which, regretfully, he has had to accept", the presidency said
in a statement on Tuesday.
They included Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who earlier
in the day announced her resignation from the position, to which she
was appointed after ANC president Jacob Zuma was released from his
responsibilities as deputy president in 2005. One of the reasons she
gave was to allow a new president the opportunity to choose their own
deputy.
The other resignations were of the Ministers of: Defence, Mosiuoa
Lekota; Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad; Intelligence, Ronnie
Kasrils; Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour; Public Enterprises,
Alec Erwin; Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena; Public Works,
Thoko Didiza; Provincial and Local Government, Sydney Mufamadi; and
Public Service and Administration Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi.
The deputy ministers who resigned are: Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad;
Finance, Jabu Moleketi and Correctional Services, Loretta Jacobus.
"The resignations will be effective from the day that the
president's resignation takes effect[ Thursday]," the presidency said.