Cape Town - African National Congress chief whip Stone Sizani's office on Saturday declined to “speculate” on the reasons for former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene's resignation as an MP.
“The office of the ANC chief whip confirms that... Nene tendered his resignation as ANC MP in the National Assembly in December,” Sizani's office said in a statement.
Nene's resignation letter, “like many similar letters the office [of the ANC chief whip] has processed in the past, does not state the reason(s) for resignation”.
#NhlanhlaNene's resignation 'a blow to Parliament’
“We are thus unfortunately in no position to speculate the reasons for his decision.”
Nene had served both as minister and MP with distinction and dedication, and “we are confident he'll continue serving the country and our movement in other capacities in future. We wish him well”, the statement said.
It emerged on Friday night that Nene resigned as an MP in December and his resignation was processed in January.
This was confirmed by National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete's office.
Zuma suddenly removed Nene as finance minister in December, and replaced him with the unknown David van Rooyen, triggering a dramatic slump in the value of the rand and stocks, and investor confidence.
Read: Nene’s quiet exit from Parliament
Nene's removal was ostensibly because his name had been put forward for a top job in the new Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (Brics) Development Bank.
The fallout prompted Zuma to remove Van Rooyen within days of his appointment, and re-appoint former finance minister Pravin Gordhan to the position.
Nene was reported on Saturday morning as having said his resignation was “the proper thing to do”.
African News Agency