On the op-ed pages today, the Phala Phala farm robbery still dominates the thoughts of many columnists, the scandal that continues to plague Ramaphosa indicates that no one within the ANC is fit to be trusted with the running of the country, and the political battleground in KZN is heating up with Zuma loyalists making their voices heard.
The alleged theft of millions of US dollars’ worth of cash won’t be Cyril Ramaphosa’s demise, but it will ultimately bring down the ANC, opines Adriaan Basson. Ramaphosa will win re-election at the party’s elective conference in December but will ultimately dip below 50% at the next national elections in 2024. Basson cites a reliable source that claims internal polling has the ANC at around 40% if the country were to go to the polls tomorrow while opposition polling also has the governing party dipping below 50% – News24. Read more here. (for subscribers)
Ramaphosa may want to be the president who is best remembered for returning accountability to the office but if the Phala Phala robbery proves anything it is that the entire ANC cannot be trusted to govern South Africa ethically, writes Songezo Zibi. The writer pours over the slew of bad actors who have been found wanting in their public service roles and condemns the poor judgement of Ramaphosa to allow people like Arthur Fraser and Major-General Wally Rhoode to ascend to positions of power despite their lacklustre and corrupt credentials – Sunday Times Daily. Read more here. (for subscribers)
Finally, in KwaZulu-Natal there is a groundswell of support for former president Jacob Zuma from the ANC’s local branches, with the threat of an uprising akin to the riots and looting we saw in July last year, teetering on a knife’s edge. Cyril Madlala delves deeper into the powder keg that is the ANC in KZN and takes a further look at the underlying forces that support Zuma ahead of his Arms Deal trial, set to resume in August, and the upcoming provincial elective conference due next month – Daily Maverick. Read more here.
Here’s a round-up of what else we’re reading today:
Fraser’s edge – The cheap and easy political victory of invoking ANC’s step-aside rule against Ramaphosa – Daily Maverick
KAIZER NYATSUMBA: The big question: what happens after wounded Ramaphosa departs the stage? – Business Day
Mpumelelo Mkhabela | ANC’s step-aside rule on trial – News24 (for subscribers)
Start running SA like one of your businesses, Cyril – The Citizen (for subscribers)
EDITORIAL | Not good enough, Zondo. Tell SA about graft claims in your office – Sunday Times Daily
BUSISIWE MAVUSO: Comair downed by competition, but no such pressure on Transnet – Business Day (for subscribers)
XHANTI PAYI: Behind SA’s precarious jobs numbers – Financial Mail
Image Credit: GCIS
