Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has been described as the cleverest person in government. But he will need all his wits about him if he is to survive SA’s treacherous politics and the legal system while trying to rescue the country’s moribund economy.Calm and measured in public, but tough behind the scenes, Gordhan has earned an international reputation for fiscal prudence and for taking a firm stand against corruption.Gordhan’s name alone stabilised the markets in December after President Jacob Zuma fired finance minister Nhlanhla Nene, and the rand began to recover as he stressed his intention to rein in spending, tackle graft and reduce the budget deficit.But if the appointment pleased investors and taxpayers, it angered some Zuma associates — and over the past year he has regularly clashed with Zuma loyalists in a public tussle for control over the public coffers.A police investigation was revived into an allegedly illegal "spy unit" that targeted politicians during Gordhan’s ti...
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