The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has vowed to appeal the ruling granting Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan an interim interdict against implementation of Public Protector’s remedial actions.
The party issued a statement within hours of the North Gauteng High Court ruling on Monday morning to voice its displeasure.
Judge Sulet Potterill dismissed virtually all of EFF and Public Protector’s arguments against granting the interdict.
‘Rogue unit’
The matter relates to Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s report into the so-called rogue unit at the South Africa Revenue Service (Sars).
She found that Gordhan had violated the Constitution for his role in the establishment of the “rogue unit.”
Among other remedial actions, she directed President Cyril Ramaphosa to take disciplinary action against Gordhan.
Gordhan moved to court to obtain an interim interdict suspending implementation of the remedial actions pending the outcome of his review application.
EFF and Mkhwebane opposed this and a hearing was held on 23 July. However, the court has now granted the interdict.
EFF ‘not surprised’
In its statement, EFF said it was not surprised by this outcome and suggested that Judge Potterill was biased against EFF and Public Protector.
This is because we had realised how visibly irritated Judge Sulet Potterill was when the black lawyers who were exclusively arguing against the exclusively white lawyers of Jamnandas Gordhan, Ramaphosa, and all who wanted the interdict.
EFF
EFF further claimed that on the other hand, Judge Potterill was “very pleased” with and willing to listen to the “white” lawyers.
EFF argued that the interdict “essentially shuts down” a constitutionally established institution.
We shall therefore appeal this decision with the Constitutional Court. It is a fight to the end.
EFF
It’s unclear what steps the Public Protector would take next.
Addressing reporters after the ruling, Mkhwebane’s spokesperson Oupa Segalwe said they would study the ruling before determining the next court of action.