Zuma here to stay

SIR — The clamour for the recall of President Jacob Zuma is understandable, but sadly amounts to no more than wishful thinking. We know our president is not an educated man, but we also know he is a cunning and ruthless politician who fully understands how to pull the levers of power.

The fact that he could act with such outrageous impunity tells us that he was confident that there could be no repercussions for him. Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe has acknowledged that the removal of Nhlanhla Nene took place without the Cabinet’s knowledge or approval.

This speaks volumes for our democratic processes and Mr Zuma’s complete disregard for them.

The reason he can act the way he does is because he is not accountable to Parliament, the electorate or even the African National Congress (ANC). His power is derived from the 3,500 or so people who constitute the presidential electoral college of the ANC.

As has been pointed out before, Mr Zuma knows how to look after 3,500 people. They are the same people who will be beneficiaries, directly and indirectly, of the South African Airways and nuclear power station deals.

Not only will Mr Zuma not be removed from office, but — more worrying given his power base — he will be able to nominate his successor. His insidious influence will be with us for some time to come. Jon Tonkin Plettenberg Bay