Daily Dispatch

Zuma shows colours again

THE local government elections have come and gone with only a few municipalities left to elect their executives.

For most South Africans life goes back to normal. But for political parties it’s a mixed bag of emotions.

The ANC is nursing a bloodied nose after recording its most dismal performance in an election – having lost control of Nelson Mandela Bay, Tshwane and the City of Joburg.

But the DA is smiling from ear to ear after surpassing its own expectations and walking away with four of the country’s eight metros.

Much of the ANC’s decline can be attributed to the party’s failure to govern properly and poor leadership on the part of President Jacob Zuma. His perceived abuse of state resources to target political opponents, and the looting of stateowned entities (SOEs) for the benefit of his close friends and extended family, have cost the ANC votes.

After such a poor showing by the governing party, one would have thought that they were serious when they claimed to have “listened to our people” and promised to do better. But this week we woke up to the news that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has been summoned to present himself to the Hawks today for a warning statement – an indication that a criminal charge or arrest is imminent.

This is apparently linked to the Hawks’ ongoing investigation into the so-called “rogue unit” at SARS when Gordhan was the revenue services commissioner. The timing of the action seems suspect as it comes at a time when a tug-of-war over SOEs is intensifying between Zuma and Gordhan – especially over ailing national carrier SAA.

Gordhan is holding out on a R5billion bailout that SAA requested as he is not satisfied with financial management at the national carrier.

It is clear that Zuma has his sights on the cockpit at SAA and wants his preferred board chairwoman, Dudu Myeni, to have absolute control, without Gordhan’s interference. This week the cabinet also announced that Zuma will chair the yet-to-be established presidential state-owned entities coordinating committee, which will oversee the running of SOEs.

This is clearly designed to weaken the positions of Gordhan and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who already chairs the inter-ministerial committee that oversees SOEs.

All of this happens at a time when the country’s economy remains under pressure – with 0% economic growth projected for the rest of the year and a credit rating downgrade still a possibility.

Only one conclusion can be drawn from this situation – Zuma no longer cares what perception the world has of us. This country’s future is the least of his worries. By the look of things, 2019 may even be a worse election year for the ANC.