The ANC’s top officials were notified of Nhlanhla Nene’s nomination for head of the African Regional Centre of the New Development Bank/Brics bank as far back as six weeks ago.

“The president did consult ANC officials about six weeks ago about the Brics nominee. He explained will need to send someone with high stature and minister Nene fitted at the time what was appropriate,” ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte told reporters at a briefing in Johannesburg.

Duarte also downplayed rumours that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa had threatened to resign soon after President Jacob Zuma appointed Des van Rooyen as the new finance minister last week on Wednesday.

“He [Ramaphosa] has been working closely with us every single day since Thursday morning,” Duarte said.

“He was not in Gauteng on Wednesday and Thursday, he was in Lesotho. He’s been with us every day.

“He was with us last night and he was also with us on Sunday afternoon when national officials met with [Zuma] and when [Zuma] accepted the indication that change was needed, [Zuma] himself said change was needed.”

After the announcement that Nene had been replaced, there was an outcry throughout the country, with the rand being negatively impacted.

“When the name of Des van Rooyen was mentioned we thought there would be an impact.. but we didn’t expect enormous impact.

“It’s been a difficult period.”

The party would not underestimate that impact going forward, she said. News24