We all remember how EFF MPs lambasted former president Jacob Zuma in the National Assembly, demanding that Zuma “pay back the money” that was used to upgrade the president’s private homestead, Nkandla. Similar scenes played out yesterday as rowdy EFF MPs attacked President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing him of being a “criminal” and a “money launderer” due to a robbery that took place in 2020 on his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo.
Wits University professor, William Gumede, writes that Ramaphosa’s internal opponents within the ANC will be mobilising against him as the radical economic transformation (RET) camp of the party try to use the ANC’s ‘step aside’ rule, introduced by Ramaphosa, to get the president to step down as party leader. Gumede indicates that not only will the pressure be ramped up from inside his party but there will also be sustained pressure from the opposition benches as has been indicated by the vociferous approach the EFF took at yesterday’s session of parliament. This will be Ramaphosa’s “pay back the money” moment contends Gumede – Sunday Times Daily. Read more here. (for subscribers)
News24’s Friday Briefing attempts to answer three critical questions regarding the farm robbery case: what does this all mean? Who benefits from it, and who stands to lose? The publication has gathered insightful opinions from Qaanitah Hunter, Ongama Mtimka, and Ebrahim Harvey. The trio tackle why Fraser has decided to come after Ramaphosa, how the legal troubles will threaten the president’s political agenda, and despite some early calls for the president to leave office, it isn’t time for him to step down just yet – News24. Read more here.
The Daily Maverick’s standout scribe, Richard Poplak, has penned a piece describing the latest saga to befall a South African president as akin to a Shakespearian tragedy. Poplak looks back at Ramaphosa’s remarkable career thus far and how all the key events in the president’s life have led up to this moment in what is certainly the darkest mark of his presidency thus far and possibly the largest public scandal of his career. Notwithstanding Ramaphosa’s role as a mining executive during the Marikana tragedy – Daily Maverick. Read more here.
Here’s a round-up of what else we’re reading today:
Ramaphosa, Rajesh Gupta and the other ‘dead presidents’ – Mail & Guardian
EDITORIAL: A do-or-die moment for the NPA – Business Day
The ruling party will need to make some big adjustments to its failed trajectory – The Citizen (for subscribers)
Constitutional showdown looms over Parliament’s foot-dragging on Electoral Act, Sassa grants – Daily Maverick
TOM EATON | There’ll be no more green in SA’s skies, and I’ve got the blues about it – Sunday Times Daily (for subscribers)
ANN CROTTY: Inside Standard Bank’s ‘ghost accounts’ – Financial Mail (for subscribers)
Image Credit: GCIS
