The curious case of Jacob Zuma

Mbeki in his years as President of the ANC became alienated from the structures of the party and alliance partners. He busied himself with state affairs- never quite looking like a man of the people. One of Mbeki's biggest mistakes was firing Jacob Zuma as deputy president - as Zuma then turned to his political sympathizers for support - and succeeded in getting it - sealing Mbeki's fate. 

Many people have asked why now - with Zuma fighting for his own political survival after a damning Constitutional court judgment, is it seemingly so difficult, to boot him out too. Truth is - the ANC cant remove him because he is the sitting president of the party, and enjoys some 60 percent support within the NEC.  And that makes all the difference. 

Consider for a moment that Zuma is booted out of the presidency. Even then, he remains the president of the ANC and Luthuli house will become his fulltime base. Which anti-Zuma campaigner would favour this situation? None. For from this position, and with time on his hands, Zuma can then strategise on who he wants to pick as his successor. 

The words from the party's Gwede Mantashe rings true - Any attempts then or now to remove him from his party position would result in "the party tearing itself apart.."

But the cracks are showing. Party stalwart Ahmed Kathrada wrote a letter to Zuma - urging him to step down or face his "contribution to the liberation struggle being severely tarnished"

Recently Gauteng Premier David Makhura hit out at the party, calling on Luthuli House to man up and ride out the test of time with proper ethical leadership. He said : "Many of us know that in history when the ANC was going to consider what next to do, we knew that the ANC would act in the best interest of the people and the country. We should ask ourselves... whether we can still say that today, and if we have any shadow of a doubt, there is a fundamental problem we must fix."

Makhura in his capacity as the Party's deputy chairperson in Gauteng also said the following "sometimes we don't make sense when we speak as the ANC now. Sometimes when we speak, it's difficult to understand what the ANC said."

As the criticism mounts, one thing is certain - Jacob Zuma is still standing. He apologised to the nation for the Nkandla affair, and he's moved on. 

But what will the ANC retain as its legacy? Will the party choose Zuma above the interest of the country? Are we doomed to be led by a president who flouted the Constitution, and then made a U-turn about paying back money spent on non security upgrades at his private home? 

In a country fighting poverty and inequality, lets not forget the astronomical expenditure on Nkandla -246 million rand.  The party has no right to  forgive Zuma and move on. The people of South Africa should have a say. But will we have to wait too long?