Gordhan said he had tried not to let the case distract him while preparing a mid-term budget presented to parliament on Wednesday. He has denied any wrong-doing, saying the case is politically motivated, a sentiment echoed by opposition parties, business leaders and some senior ANC figures. Asked during a post-budget breakfast meeting whether he was still confident he had political backing, Gordhan said: "I'm not trying to duck, but I'm not going to answer it." "Our preoccupation is not rating agencies. Our preoccupation is putting the country on the right footing," Gordhan said.

Source: Standard Digital October 27, 2016 07:45 UTC