‘Zuma’s disobedience may lead to SA becoming lawless’

Former President Jacob Zuma’s defiance of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, is going to lead the country into catastrophe as the ANC is forced to look the other away, said experts.

Zuma said he would defy the Constitutional Court ruling ordering him to appear before Zondo, stating he would rather go to jail than testify.

Zondo had turned to the superior court after Zuma evaded and dodged summonses for months.

The divide between the proand anti-Zuma factions within the ANC could impact on proper governance, which would affect the quality of the country, said political analyst Professor Barry Hanyane.

“The ANC has for a long time created the impression of a political demagogue in the form of Zuma, which isn’t surprising because this is one of the reflections that is endemic in African politics,” he said.

“We have less respect in institutions and put so much allegiance to people.

“And when someone misbehaves, we find ourselves divided.

“[In the ANC] there are some who are pro-Zuma and some anti-Zuma.

“In a sense, the Zuma currency becomes a divisive factor in the quality of South Africa today,” he said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa had, in his January 8 statement, said the party’s aim for unity should not protect those who committed wrongdoings from being held accountable.

He said the ANC should intensify the fight against state capture and to use the findings and recommendations of the Zondo commission to prevent them from happening again.

While Ramaphosa did not single out Zuma, his blanket statement was appropriate, said political analyst professor Lesiba Teffo.

“When the president spoke, I don’t think it was to the exclusion of former heads of state,” Teffo said.

“I think the blanket statement is appropriate [otherwise] you may end up being in factional spaces and narratives.”

He said the country was in a catch-22 situation, as whether sending Zuma to jail or letting him off the hook could cause a catastrophe in the country.

Meticulous and correct legal procedures would have to be applied when dealing with him.

“What [Zuma] is doing is brinkmanship bordering on a possible catastrophe...

“The law must be followed to the letter and the consequences notwithstanding because not doing so will set a terrible precedence that this country may end up lawless and ungovernable.

“I fear this man might push us to the brink and has the potential to rattle the country,” he said.