Zuma Finished?

[rowan]

Is South African president Jacob Zuma finished? Last week Public Protector Thuli Madonsela released a damning report on his relationship with the wealthy, Indian-born Gupta family. A number of his immediate family members have worked for Gupta-controlled enterprises, including one of his four wives. while the Supreme Court of Appeal is widely expected to confirm criminal charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering. Earlier this year the court ruled he had violated the constitution by failing to repay government money used on upgrading his private residence - which included a ranch, ampitheatre and swimming pool complex. Zuma could try to make a deal and resign, though it's doubtful the other parties would accept the charges against him being dropped. The future appears similarly bleak for the ANC, which is unlikely to secure a majority in 2019, having suffered defeats in a number of metros during the recent local elections. The ANC is completely lacking in fresh ideas and falling apart at the seams. They absolutely must replace Zuma, who is scheduled to step aside before the elections anyway, though none of the obvious candidates to replace him (who include one of his four wives) look to have what it takes to win back the party's support.

[kk67]

There was a little white professor on Newsnight last week (he looked like Bulldog from Frasier..?).....he had some worrying things to say about SA.
Initially I thought he was just driven by some political agendas. But he said some very pragmatic things.

[rowan]

You don't have a link, by any chance? I have no idea who Bulldog on Frasier is, I'm afraid. I've heard of the show but never seen it. But, yes, South Africa appears to be in quite a mess. We've discussed before on this forum the Pilger video which explains how little has actually changed since the end of Apartheid, except that the ANC elite have basically picked up where the Apartheid leadership left off. Foreign companies maintain a stranglehold on the economy, the white minority has been able to retain its wealth and standard of living, while the non-white majority have barely managed to make up any ground at all. What's required is strong and principled leadership, whether it be at the helm of the ANC or one of the other parties, though nobody of that description appears to be coming through right now, and we know well what has become of such leaders throughout the continent in the past.

[kk67]

You don't have a link, by any chance? I

I don't.

[rowan]

Brexit . . . Trump . . . & now this

South African President Jacob Zuma survived a no-confidence vote on Thursday, after the anti-graft watchdog called in a report for a judicial inquiry into allegations of influence-peddling in the government.

The scandal highlighted in the report has rattled investors in Africa's most industrialized country and raised the risk the stagnating economy's credit ratings will be downgraded.

Zuma, 74, had the support of the African National Congress (ANC), which controls about two-thirds of the 400-member assembly. He has already survived a no-confidence motion and an impeachment vote this year, related to other scandals.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-safri ... SKBN1351Z4

[rowan]

Wow, what a kick in the teeth

South African President Jacob Zuma will not attend the funeral of anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada “in compliance with the wishes of the family,” according to the presidency. Kathrada, a close friend of Nelson Mandela, died at the age of 87 on Tuesday after a short illness following brain surgery. “Uncle Kathy,” as he was affectionately known by South Africans, was one of the leading figures in the anti-apartheid movement, which fought against the system of white minority government in South Africa and ultimately culminated in Mandela’s election as president in 1994. He was one of eight African National Congress (ANC) activists convicted at a trial in 1964 and spent 26 years in prison, ...

http://www.newsweek.com/ahmed-kathrada- ... uma-575672

[rowan]

President Jacob Zuma has announced changes to his cabinet, firing several minister & deputy ministers

JOHANNESBURG - President Jacob Zuma has wielded the axe, firing Pravin Gordhan as Finance Minister, his deputy Mcebisi Jonas, Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom and Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, in one of his most dramatic moves during his time in the Union Buildings.

The President has announced 20 changes to his cabinet, with former ANC Youth League president Malusi Gigaba replacing Gordhan, while Sifiso Buthelezi will fill Jonas's position.

Hanekom - a vocal critic of the President and who led motion of no confidence against Zuma in a recent ANC national executive committee meeting - has been replaced by Tokozile Xasa, while Peters has been sacked for Joe Maswanganyi.

http://ewn.co.za/2017/03/30/president-j ... dhan-fired