The events of the past few weeks in South Africa, including the release of the Public Protector’s state capture report, are signs of how the country’s condition has been corroded under President Jacob Zuma’s leadership.
Given that a formidable faction still reinforces Zuma both within and outside of the African National Congress (ANC), he is unlikely to vacate power willingly. The stakes are high, particularly given that corruption charges still await him following the North Gauteng High Court’s ruling that fraud and corruption charges against him should be reinstated.
The state capture report is emphatic in its claim that there appears to be a conflict of interest between Zuma’s official duties and private interests. It states that Zuma has used his official position to
extend preferential treatment to Gupta-linked businesses in the form of state contracts, business financing and trading licenses.
It seems a shade of malfeasance follows Zuma.