It won't be easy or quick, but Zuma will eventually have to go

15 October 2017 - 00:00 By ranjeni munusamy

What should the next ANC president do with President Jacob Zuma? After Friday's ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal, South Africa effectively has an accused person as its head of state. Even if NPA boss Shaun Abrahams continues to twiddle his thumbs, the import of the judgment is that Zuma has to answer to charges of corruption.
The danger, however, is what Zuma will do in office as a free agent until his term expires in 2019.
Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan suggested this week that if Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa were elected, he should fire Zuma. "The Ramaphosa team must take over in December, and in January they must tell Mr Zuma to go and live in Nkandla," Gordhan said.
The first problem for the new ANC leader, irrespective of who is elected, is that they will have to contend with the two centres of power dilemma.
Zuma has shown he does not care about the ANC's views and decisions, and does only what he and the Gupta brothers want.
This was most apparent in how he executed his cabinet reshuffle in March, and when he overrode the national executive committee's decision not to appeal against the high court ruling on the KwaZulu-Natal provincial conference...

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