In the opinion pages today, Rob Rose takes a look at the desperate race to save Comair, News24 rounds up some commentary on the Gupta extradition process, and The Citizen asks whether South Africa is on the road to becoming a failed state after yesterday’s N3 blockade.
Inside Comair’s final hours – Financial Mail
Rob Rose details what the last moments were like before Comair had to ultimately file for liquidation when it failed to come up with the necessary capital to keep the airline in the skies.
The piece covers the scramble for funders, a “cheeky” last-minute offer from an undisclosed source, that the airline rejected due to concerns the interested party was taking advantage of the airline, and the fumbles and external factors that contributed to the airline’s ultimate demise.
But it can still be saved writes Rose, as mechanisms do exist to pull the airline out of liquidation if enough funding can be secured for the airline to resume operations. Read more here. (for subscribers)
Get the Guptas: Atul and Rajesh are behind bars in Dubai… now to get them back – News24
In the Friday Briefing, a group of opinions have been gathered detailing what the extradition process for the Gupta brothers would look like and how it can be achieved. The national prosecuting authority (NPA) has until August 2 to seek the extradition of the brothers.
Karyn Maughan writes that the extradited persons can only be prosecuted for the offence for which they have been charged and Thuli Madonsela says that citizens may be distracted by the president’s Phala Phala controversy as opposed to placing pressure on the NPA to get the Guptas back in SA. Read more here.
Is SA on the way to a failed state? – The Citizen
In its Friday editorial, the publication contemplates whether the country is on a course toward failed state status. The newspaper cites the government’s inability to use force to deal with blatant attacks on the country and its infrastructure.
The editorial was prompted by the move on Thursday to stage a blockade on the N3 highway that connects Durban to Johannesburg, causing yet more economic heartache. Four men have thus far been arrested and charged for impeding a national route, destroying road infrastructure, and economic sabotage. Read more here.
Here’s a round-up of what else we’re reading today:
Eskom can follow the Telkom path to freedom – Duncan McLeod, Financial Mail (for subscribers)
’Tis the season for political bluster – Natasha Marrian, Financial Mail (for subscribers)
TFG — from fashion to furnishings – Jamie Carr, Financial Mail (for subscribers)
Reflections on Watergate scandal 50 years on – Anthony Butler, Business Day (for subscribers)
Loose thoughts on democratic South Africa in four-phase disharmony – Ismail Lagardien, Daily Maverick
SA is in a dangerous phase where our democracy is at stake – Judith February, Daily Maverick
I’m no guru, but it seems there’s still room for a groovy conman to coin it – Tom Eaton, Sunday Times Daily (for subscribers)
