When reputation and credibility are at stake - resign

Just four days after he was arrested for sexual assault, IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned, even though he had not been charged, tried, or convicted.

The search for a replacement is already well under way. There is absolutely no chance he will come back.

Imagine this was someone in a top position in SA. He would have dug in his heels, got a whole lot of supporters who would have proclaimed him innocent until proven guilty, and stayed in his job.

After a month or two, he would have been put on special leave or suspension and gone home on full pay to await the outcome of a judicial or internal disciplinary process that could last for years.

During this time, he may even launch legal proceedings to demand his job back.

What the Strauss-Kahn resignation shows is that his guilt or innocence is of no consequence at all.

There is an understanding that controversy affects the reputation and credibility of an organisation and its leadership, and the right thing to do is to resign - even if you proclaim your innocence.

Minor misunderstanding

In another example of accountability, a former British cabinet minister was jailed for 16 months on Friday for cheating on his expenses. He is the fourth member of the House of Commons to face prison over the expenses scandal after claiming £30428 for fake and inflated mortgage payments. That would hardly be considered a crime here; just a minor misunderstanding of the ministerial handbook

A pressing discovery

The Competition Commission's about turn on its previous decision to allow the Walmart/Massmart deal is farcical. It said it had now uncovered a whole lot of new information. However, others say, that it has now discovered that it is under a whole lot of pressure to change its mind.

Or else ... what?

Trade union Solidarity has lodged a liquidation application for Aurora and given it until May 31 to oppose. But Aurora has an uncanny ability to ignore final deadlines, so don't hold your breath. It recently received its umpteenth final deadline - which is (for now) the end of this month, to tie up funding for its mines - or else. The "or else" was not that clearly defined, but was probably "or else ... you will be issued with a further final immutable deadline".

• kleinm@sundaytimes.co.za