Good morning. The Phala Phala scandal has threatened to topple Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency, but he has found renewed support in the ANC and seems likely to survive an impeachment vote in parliament next week. But after following Jacob Zuma, a man whose presidential legacy is entwined with scandal, what will Ramaphosa’s legacy be?
Going from Ramaphoria to Ramafailure
After the nine lost years under former president Jacob Zuma, where Nkandla, the Guptas, and State Capture became buzzwords for corruption in the administration, Ramaphosa promised a renewal of state institutions and the rooting out of corruption. News24 has compiled a group of columnists who offer their opinion on Ramaphosa’s legacy thus far and how it may all play out for the president. Read more here. (News24)
ConCourt hands Zuma another legal defeat in his effort to remove Billy Downer from arms deal case
The Constitutional Court on Thursday dismissed the former president’s latest attempt to remove state advocate Billy Downer from the arms deal case. It was the fourth time that Zuma has tried to remove Downer following a ruling in October 2021 from Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Piet Koen that Downer could continue to prosecute Zuma. The ConCourt dismissed the case on Thursday saying Zuma had no reasonable prospect of winning. Read more here. (EWN)
Energy minister Gwede Mantashe claimed load-shedding is worse than State Capture
Mantashe completely ignored the role State Capture played in the hollowing out and systemic looting of Eskom during the Zuma administration and said rolling blackouts are worse than State Capture. “Eskom must attend to this problem. By not attending to load-shedding Eskom is agitating to overthrow the state,” he said. Read more here. (Business Day, for subscribers)
Here’s what else you need to know today:
Govt apologises over ‘devastating’ load shedding – The Citizen
Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer swapped for Brittney Griner? – Daily Maverick
Don’t read too much into GDP growth spurt – Mail & Guardian
Union plans to intensify Makro strike targeting Massmart group companies – News24
ANC adopts Nkandla posture 2.0 in shielding Ramaphosa – BizNews
Mabuza breaks his silence — and reveals the weakness of his defence – Daily Maverick
