Zuma is now playing a very dangerous game. What is he scared of? Perhaps it is the urgency of not keeping the Russians waiting. Yes, the Russians are in town to sign the nuclear deal. While the Russians are in town, it would not be appropriate for the President to be cited in a state capture report. Perhaps it would be embarrassing for Zuma if Pravin Gordhan refuses to sign a deal that will sink South Africa.
In a surprise move today, President Jacob Zuma served a notice of intention to apply for an interdict. It is an interdict to stop the outgoing public protector Thuli Madonsela from releasing the interim report on state capture. The interdict to stop the report being released can only mean one thing, that the state is captured.
The charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan once again confirm that the Zuma administration is devious and under immense pressure. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation says it considers the charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan as nothing more than an attempt to remove him from his post.
Zuma has strategically placed his people in all the relevant departments and the crown jewel would be capturing SARS and Treasury. Well, I guess if he does get this right, we will certainly be in for a rough time. Let’s hope Gordhan uses all the resources he has to prevent the Zuma conquest becoming a reality. Let us hope that Gordhan remains honorable and does not bow down to corruption and bribery.
Besides the #FeesMustFall protests that seem to have no end. There are no leadership strategies in place to stop the spiraling criminal elements behind these protests. Julius Malema was summonsed today for two charges are in contravention of section 18 (2) (b) of the Riotous Assemblies Act. The summons alleges that on the December 16, during the party’s elective conference, Malema incited party members to commit a crime, by occupying any vacant land they came across. A second summons indicated that he has been charged a second time for a similar transgression for making the same call in Newcastle on the June 26.
It is public knowledge that Madonsela is investigating the Gupta family and its alleged attempts to appoint ministers in President Zuma’s cabinet. Earlier this year – in a press statement, Jonas openly admitted that the Gupta family offered him the position of Minister of Finance, a few weeks before Minister Nene was removed. Jonas rejected the offer and believed that it makes a mockery of the democracy. President Jacob Zuma is the person responsible for appointing ministers. It is constitutionally unethical to allow the Gupta family to make a decision about whom to appoint. This is especially true in the Ministry of Finance where corruption and apparent state capture is particularly vulnerable.
It is an aggressive, threatening move, yet the ANC respects the decision of President Zuma. The ANC will always rally behind Zuma, even if the decisions are detrimental to the stability of South Africa. It is an aggressive abuse of power by Zuma, who is sending a negative message to the people of South Africa and the international community.
Perhaps what Julius Malema the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said sums up the entire saga? “Expecting the ANC to act against Gupta is like expecting a pig to eat a pudding”.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
