How much can the public stomach?

HOME Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba is an intelligent and hard-working politician with a bright future in public service.

His meteoric rise as ANCYL president to occupying senior posts in the government has served to attest to his strong work ethic.

However, his controversial private life has often forced many observers to question if Gigaba has the temperament to serve as cabinet minister.

The emergence of a video of Gigaba engaging in a sexual act is the latest in a series of controversies to engulf his colourful political career.

Other scandals in the recent past include extra-marital affairs, a public spat between his wife and an alleged lover, and the illegal naturalisation of the Gupta family, a matter that is the subject of an inquiry.

Gigaba has issued a statement saying the leaked video was meant for his wife only, and that it was through illegal interception that it landed in the wrong hands. Assuming this is true, it would mean the whole hullabaloo is misplaced.

However, judging from his past misdemeanours it will be difficult for the public to take his word for it.

The political fallout from this sex tape will be too costly for his future in government, and the embarrassment for the ANC will have far-reaching consequences.

The next few weeks will be crucial in terms of how Gigaba chooses to deal with this matter. However, those who hope he will finally fall on his sword must think again.

Gigaba enlisting the services of a spin doctor, Vuyo Mkhize, suggests the former finance minister has no intention of resigning.

The question that remains is how much can the public stomach?