Is South Africa going through its own Ides of March - originally a date on the Roman calendar that corresponds with March 15 and the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44BC, but more broadly signifying an historic turning point? The decline of Eskom appeared to be accelerating with the suspensions of four top executives, prompting a second ratings agency to downgrade the creaking, cash-starved power utility's credit rating to junk.Instead of the downgrading having a sobering effect on the powers-that-be, it soon emerged that a campaign was afoot to oust the man who apparently initiated the suspensions - Eskom's chairman, Zola Tsotsi. He is said to have a hotline to President Jacob Zuma and has allegedly been interfering in the daily running of the parastatal.The bottom line is that, with steep electricity tariff hikes about to take effect, consumers have little confidence that Eskom is on the right track - or that it will be able to keep the lights on.It has become clear that some of Eskom's generously paid executives are more concerned with protecting their turf than with providing a decent service to the public.The disarray in key government departments such as the SA Revenue Service, the police and National Prosecuting Authority appeared to be gaining traction this month as top officials - again, several with close ties to Zuma - suspended each other, clashed publicly or went to court.Once again, services are suffering, the confidence of the public in state organs is being eroded and tax money is being spent freely by bigwigs, some of whom apparently anxious to do the president's bidding and secure their jobs.By appointing loyalists to important posts in key state institutions and - notwithstanding official denials - by interfering in their running, Zuma might believe he is protecting himself, but this is a dangerous game.The chaos and drift that is starting to characterise his administration could well end up sinking it...