Time for cool heads to prevail
Last week, the Hawks arrested Elvis Ramosebudi on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. He is accused of plotting to assassinate over a dozen high-profile people. The people on the list have featured in the state capture drama brought to a head by the release of the public protector’s report titled State of Capture.
Court proceedings revealed that Ramosebudi is the founder of Anti-State Capture Death Squad Alliance as well as the Anti-White Monopoly Capitalists Regime.
To raise funding for his plot, he wrote letters to a local billionaire to help him assassinate proponents of state capture including President Jacob Zuma, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane and Duduzane Zuma.Bizarrely, he also addressed a letter to the Guptas asking them to fund the assassination of the enemies of state capture, including former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene, former public protector Thuli Madonsela and former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas.
If it is just a big joke as some experts in the security sector have implied, then it can be seen as a creative satirical representation of the state of our politics. State capture has become entrenched in our political discourse. It is fast becoming the primary lens through which some try to make sense of our political and economic situation. Juxtaposed to this is that of white monopoly capital. The two narratives have come to characterise factional battles in the ANC.
At the centre of this spectacle are the Guptas who, through a series of scandals, it has become clear are Zuma’s handlers.
Those opposed to the Guptas and Zuma have been labelled as lackeys of white monopoly capital, who are against transformation and hellbent on preserving the economic status quo. Pravin Gordhan and Jonas were seen as such and paid with their jobs.
Clearly, Ramosebudi is an avid follower of political news and has decided to make a meal of the situation. It is little wonder it has been suggested that his mental health be assessed. It will be revealed during the case whether there is any substance to this plot.
But it is certain that the current political atmosphere is conducive for all forms of machinations that could result in deeper sociopolitical and economic instability.
Now is the time for cool heads and responsible political leadership.