Both Mthethwa and Mbalula are known to be fierce Zuma loyalists. They were key in weakening former President Thabo Mbeki's grip and in keeping Zuma's political fortunes alive at a time when the former president appeared to have smashed Zuma's political ambitions to smithereens.

It was therefore not surprising that both Mthethwa and Mbalula featured prominently in Zuma's cabinet.

Both men may have a feeling that they are entitled to senior positions because of their role in dislodging Mbeki and propelling Zuma to the Union Buildings.

By appointing Mthethwa and Mbalula to the senior police ministry, Zuma was signalling that they were both important players.

In this case, however, it was a recipe for disaster from the very beginning. Mbalula - by virtue of his position as ANC head of campaigns and power base - felt that he was senior to Mthethwa.

It was also inevitable that Mthethwa would assume seniority over Mbalula by virtue of being appointed to a full cabinet position.

With two bulls in the same kraal, state power collided with party authority.

The standoff between the two men should be seen against this backdrop.

The danger of this conflict is that it has the potential to seriously weaken the war on crime.

More worrying is the alleged involvement of police commissioner Bheki Cele, who has apparently thrown his weight behind Mthethwa.

This is one battle which is surely going to pose a serious test of Zuma's leadership. How is the president going to stand up and make an independent intervention without the fear of antagonising one of the factions?

One of Zuma's greatest weaknesses since becoming president has been his inability to rein in his Polokwane allies. The nation has not seen Zuma acting decisively in dealing with some of the many misdemeanours of his Polokwane allies.

Great leaders are renowned for their resolve to take bold decisions. They are not afraid of unpopular decisions.

Zuma has not lived up to his warning to members of the ANC national executive committee that he "owed nobody anything", apparently in reference to those who expected favours for supporting his bid for presidency.

The row between Mthethwa and Mbalula will hopefully give him a chance to demonstrate that he has the ability to put the country above personal favours.

We hope Zuma will not be found wanting.