During the Cold War, a new profession emerged – “Kremlinologists”, a hodge-podge of academics, journalists, other scoundrels, and commentators, who would study every minute detail of the behaviour of Soviet Union leaders when they were in public. They examined who stood next to whom, whose chair was closer or further away from the leader, who..
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South Africans are trying to decode Ramaphosa (and getting it wrong)
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Zuma now firmly in the firing line
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Jacob Zuma’s future hangs in the balance in the wake of the ANC national conference, with party president Cyril Ramaphosa’s more militant backers pushing for the head of state to be recalled early next year at the latest. With the conference endorsing greater powers for the ANC’s integrity committee and the immediate appointment of a..
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Why 77% of ordinary South Africans think country is moving in wrong direction
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Seventy-seven percent of ordinary South Africans think the country is moving in the wrong direction, and that government and President Jacob Zuma are primarily responsible, a new study shows. Conducted by Ask Afrika and Infusion Knowledge Hub on behalf of The Centre for Communication and Reputation Management at the University of Pretoria, the study conveys..
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Mbete on Khwezi: I don’t want to deal with it
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ANC chairperson and presidential hopeful Baleka Mbete has dodged confirming if she believes that President Jacob Zuma raped Fezekile “Khwezi” Kuzwayo. Mbete was interviewed by Radio 702 host Karima Brown on Monday night when she was asked if she believes Kuzwayo. “You are raising a painful matter because she (Kuzwayo) is no longer alive. I..
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State capture report a political tool – Zuma
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President Jacob Zuma believes that the public protector’s report on state capture was a political tool meant to be used to deal with certain individuals. In an exclusive interview with ANN7 on Monday evening, Zuma spoke out about the state of capture report by former public protector Thuli Madonsela, in which she recommended that Zuma..
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Zackie Achmat: SA is on the verge of ‘chaos’ – Yes we know that already!
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We must accept we are in an extremely dangerous situation where, unless we do something, we will create the moment of chaos.” This is the warning to South Africa from 55-year-old anti-apartheid activist and acclaimed Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) co-founder Zackie Achmat. “Everyone I know, all of us just hope Cyril [Ramaphosa] will win [the..
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BLSA tells Eskom: ‘You remain suspended’
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Business Leadership SA on Monday reiterated the suspension of Eskom from the organisation. BLSA said it is holding high-level discussions with Eskom’s acting CEO‚ Sean Maritz‚ regarding serious allegations of corruption and state capture that had led to the suspension of the power utility from the organisation. “The first of these meetings was held on..
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JZ nukes protocol for his own agenda
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Amid the long series of Gupta emails that show the family’s trail through the corridors of “state capture”, it can be easy to lose sight of the other instance of “state capture” — or even “country capture” — that is afoot. Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet reshuffle earlier this week, his 11th in the eight years he..
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Business Leadership South Africa suspends Eskom and Transnet
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Business Leadership South Africa on Thursday booted out state-owned entities Eskom and Transnet for their involvement in corruption and state capture with immediate effect. The announcement comes as BLSA launched its #BusinessBelieves campaign in Cape Town, where it signed a “contract” with South Africa, pledging to do even more to create jobs and grow and..
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UK to probe European banks linked to SA state capture
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A complaint about European banks who may be involved in the illicit financial flows of state capture in South Africa has been forwarded to two law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom, leaving these banks open to investigation and prosecution. The Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond forwarded a message about banks based in the..
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Cosatu plans nationwide stayaway against the ‘predatory elite’
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Trade union federation Cosatu has called on all workers in the government and private sector not to go to work on Wednesday and instead join a march against state capture and corruption. “It’s a total stayaway and everyone in the country, whether you are part of Cosatu or not, you are protected,” Cosatu general secretary..
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Scopa to call KPMG to parliament over SARS ‘rogue unit’ retraction
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Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Sopa) will call KPMG to appear before parliament to account on its conduct regarding the SA Revenue Service (SARS) ‘rogue unit’ report and the subsequent withdrawal of some parts of this report, it said in a statement on Monday. Scopa’s ANC study group whip Mnyamezeli Booi said: “KPMG must..
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Ramaphosa spurs Hawks to be proactive on state capture suspects.
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Cyril Ramaphosa says commissions of inquiry into state capture should not stop law enforcement agencies from investigating the culprits in the meantime. Addressing hundreds at a Cosatu rally in Seshego outside Polokwane on Sunday, Ramaphosa said the Hawks must investigate state capture. He said parliamentarians were also concerned that allegations of state capture were lingering..
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The opposition has found the ANC’s Achilles heel
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Just when many thought that President Jacob Zuma’s fate was sealed, he emerged victorious against a motion of no confidence in him – for the eighth time. The fanfare associated with his expected loss was largely in sync with the increasing public discontent with his leadership. On the day of the no confidence vote political..
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Zuma’s plan to “get rich quick” on SA’s new set-top boxes and digital migration: report
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Following a spate of emails tying the Gupta family and president Jacob Zuma to state capture, more allegations have emerged implicating the president and members of his family in a bid to use their access to the state to enrich themselves. This time, a senior ANC official has submitted a sworn affidavit to Parliament accusing..
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