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The public looks forward to the next showdown between lawyer Dali Mpofu and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan after the pair exchanged verbal blows at the Zondo Commission earlier in the week.
Gordhan was instructed to appear and respond to his statement that former South African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Tom Moyane was instrumental in capturing the treasure of President Jacob Zuma and his allies. Representing Moyane was attorney Mpofu, who showed his clear disdain for Gordhan from the start.
As the two fought, Zondo struggled to keep their insults at bay, often asking them not to talk to each other. We take a look at some of the quotes from the interrogation below.
1. At a meeting at SARS, Gordhan reprimanded Moyane for commenting on a judge through his spokesperson. The comments discredit SARS before the judiciary and increase tension, Gordhan said. A transcript of the verbal exchange hears Gordhan telling Moyane to ‘grow up and don’t be cheeky’. Moyane says the same and tensions flare between the two with more verbal blows. At the commission, Mpofu repeats the words to Gordhan.
“Well, grow up, Mr. Gordhan, don’t be cheeky.” How do you feel? “Asked Mpofu.
“I take it as it comes, Mr. Mpofu,” Gordhan said before the pair started talking to each other.
2. In response to Gordhan’s comment that he is not offended by the “grow up” comments, Mpofu exclaims that the comments are disparaging.
“Well,” said Mpofu, “I can tell you how people like me feel. Let me give you some advice: never again should you belittle Africans like you did in this conversation by telling them to grow up … “
3. Gordhan used to give long answers, refusing to say yes or no to Mpofu. This agitated the lawyer who was visibly furious.
“I ask you to check this witness because if he is going to give unnecessary verbiage in addition to the answer, I will be forced to interrupt him,” said Mpofu.
4. When asked if he believed Moyane was part of the state capture before the Nugent Commission ruled against his performance in SARS, Gordhan was evasive and continued to rely on the Nugent Commission’s decision.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t go to the Nugent Commission,” said Mpofu.
Gordhan: “You are not me.”
5. During questioning, the two of them talked about each other, often requiring Judge Ray Zondo to intervene. In one case, Gordhan says that Mpofu cannot hear properly after being told to let Gordhan finish his answers.
Gordhan: Maybe you have hearing problems?
Mpofu: “You can’t say he’s hearing impaired. I am not his son or one of the Africans he undermines. “
6. Meanness levels hit a record low as Mpofu kept up with his aggressive line of questions.
Mpofu: “You said you are not a lawyer, so your job is to answer questions here.”
Gordhan: “My job is not to receive instructions from you either.”
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See Pravin Gordhan’s interrogation below.
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