Zuma’s return would be the death knell for SA

Could former president Jacob Zuma really be so desperate that he and ANC secretarygeneral Ace Magashule and others would try to oust President Cyril Ramaphosa for Zuma to return, “Exposed: Zuma plot to oust Cyril” (September 9)?

More importantly, would the ANC really want to allow Zuma to return to finish off our national economy and cost it any hope of winning the 2019 national elections?

I really hope that Zuma is just trying to take his only desperate chance of quashing the state capture inquiry before he has to go and try to defend himself in court from a rather lengthy prison sentence for corruption, bordering on treason charges.

The only reason anyone would want Zuma back in power would be to protect them from Zuma revealing the names of all his corruption partners in any sentencemitigation deals.

All we can do is fear Zuma ever coming back as president — as it will likely be a lifetime term for him and a death sentence for our nation.

Robert Nicolai, Howick

What is going on at racing body?

I noted with alarm the report on Lyndon Barends, the CEO of the National Horseracing Authority (NHA),

“Horseracing boss fighting for ‘financial wellbeing’” (September 9).

At the time of his appointment, was the NHA board aware of his financial problems? If so, were the members of the board complicit in a cover-up? If they were not aware, were they negligent?

Surely anybody appointed to a position of this standing and power should be thoroughly vetted?

To allow this compromised gentleman to return would be a travesty. Before his possible reinstatement, there surely must be a thorough forensic audit of the NHA.

This audit should be made available to the public, especially as there is doubt as to the integrity of the board.

It has also come to my notice that there has been a massive “clear-out” of staff at the NHA. Please could there be an audit of the total wage bill and expenses incurred over the past two years.

Speaking as a breeder and life member of the NHA, I have a right to know.

Marianne Thomson, Worcester West

Buthelezi is an inspiration to us all

With reference to the Sunday Times article “Honour the aged by all means, but let’s be frank about Buthelezi’s past” (September 9): I also attended the 90th celebration event for Prince Buthelezi, and I cannot agree with the article.

Sibongakonke Shoba fails to mention that Prince Buthelezi was quite candid about his stance against international sanctions, and confirmed that he had no regrets as it was based upon his view of the best interests of his country, and that he was very concerned about the negative impact that international sanctions would have on the most needy in society.

It is a pity that Shoba failed to highlight the most important and consistent point that I heard Prince Buthelezi being honoured for during the evening — not only his age, but that at 90 he is still working for the best interests of his people and his country as a respected, humble and honest politician who had given a lifetime of service to his country without attempting to amass personal wealth and benefit for himself, his family and his friends.

What an inspiration for all South Africans, yet, disappointingly, not a word in Shoba’s article.

Michael Tollman, CEO, Cullinan Holdings,

Cape Town

Clear the corrupt out of the SAPS

The crime statistics are shocking. It is a sign that our country has gone to the dogs while we watched. It is also an indication that our criminal justice system is very weak.

Murder and other forms of contact crimes, cash-in-transit heists, rape and sexual abuse are all on the rise.

There are places that are notorious, like parts of the Western Cape and KwaZuluNatal, but there is no serious intervention to deal with this problem.

If we continue like this, we are not going anywhere as a country. These levels of crime will have a lot of negative consequences, which may include scaring off potential investors.

The only way to deal with these problems is by making sure that corrupt officers are not allowed to work in the South African Police Service.

Tom Mhlanga, Braamfontein

Fire failures laid at DA’s door

Peter Bruce, in his column “Workshop this: the ANC simply isn’t up to the job” (September 9), writes: “Nothing the ANC touches works properly … Not the fire hoses. No water pressure, you see.”

Fire brigades and water pressure are under the DA metro council of Johannesburg.

Should Bruce not ask the DA’s Herman Mashaba what they have done about this in their two years in power?

What is the metro doing about buildings that do not comply with municipal fire-safety regulations?

What does it intend to do?

Keith Gottschalk, Claremont

A simple solution for DStv

I see from Business Times, “Jobs on the line as DStv struggles” (September 9), that MultiChoice lost 41,000 customers in the last financial year!

Well, if they’d let their valued clients choose their own “bouquets” rather than dictating to us what bouquet we should choose, they would keep more customers. Simple solution!

Arlene Chaperon, Sharonlea

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