For the first time since President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his testimony at the Zondo Commission, former deputy minister of finance, Mcebisi Jonas is speaking out about why he, Ramaphosa, Pravin Gordhan and others felt it necessary to stay in government while the institutions all around them were captured by the Guptas and their ilk.
In two separate Daily Maverick pieces, Jonas divulges how Ramaphosa intervened when Des van Rooyen was instilled as finance minister or when South African banks told the Guptas they would no longer accept them as clients. This while Jacob Zuma placed immense pressure on the banking community to try to help the Guptas get their way once more.
Jonas also details how it wasn’t just a case of replacing Zuma that would make state capture disappear. He describes it as having to fight against an entire system rather than just one man in Zuma.
“It’s the complexity of stopping a system from moving in directions that would be destructive to the country, that was in my view very complex.” – Mcebisi Jonas, to Stephen Grootes on SAfm.
Here’s a roundup of the most interesting opinions and analyses:
Daily Maverick
Hawks identify Bonginkosi Khanyile as an instigator who made a ‘substantive contribution to the unrest’ – Des Erasmus
Business Day
Timing of Shoprite’s R1bn deal is perfect – Editorial
Communities caught between legitimate defence and mob justice – David Dickinson
Restart of long-haul flights will not boost Qantas profits – David Fickling
New Frame
Vaccines are a collective asset for all humankind – Editorial
The Citizen
Ramaphosa is beginning to take security cluster seriously thanks to insurrection – Eric Naki (for subscribers)
Mail & Guardian
I’m all Pfizered up, but still broke – Paddy Harper
Financial Mail
If the ANC goes on strike, will anyone notice? – Giulietta Talevi
Facebook faces a stronger Federal Trade Commission – Toby Shapshak (for subscribers)
News24 / Fin24
Navigating the world of the blacklisted – Solly Moeng (for subscribers)
Will the new Chief Justice be the most important appointment since 1994? – Pieter du Toit
Ramaphosa mulls Mandela-era process to find SA’s new chief justice – Karyn Maughan (for subscribers)
