Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba says that he knew the country would be downgraded, as S&P Global had told him in confidence.
Read: S&P reshuffles South Africa's credit rating to junk
He revealed that S&P Global took him into its confidence before announcing Monday night’s downgrade.
Gigaba held a press briefing on Tuesday admitting that he knew, while he had earlier downplayed fears around whether the ratings agencies would cut the country to junk.
Also read: Gigaba claims S&P forewarned him of downgrade in confidence
Presenter Redi Tlhabi says Gigaba blatantly lied to the South African public by feeding citizens false information.
The Afternoon Drive host says not only did Gigaba omit the truth, he went as far as to mislead the country.
It doesn't help telling us that you knew about it.
— Redi Tlhabi, 702's Afternoon Drive presenter
The fact of the matter is you didn't just fail to take us into your confidence, you lied. You gave us the wrong information.
— Redi Tlhabi, 702's Afternoon Drive presenter
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