Policy: Uncertainty deepens as SA holds its breath

Yesterday afternoon’s statement from Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in his capacity as ANC president was long overdue amidst deepening uncertainly about the future of SA’s head of state. Its purpose was to assure concerned South Africans that the ‘process’ on which he and President Jacob Zuma embarked on Tuesday evening will achieve the best possible outcomes for the country. But it was worryingly cryptic in its reference to ‘pertinent matters’ yet to be finalised. Meanwhile, Zuma will ‘officiate at the annual Ubuntu awards ceremony’ on Saturday, and yesterday chaired several routinely scheduled Cabinet committee meetings. As to media allegations of the President’s intention to ‘replace’ his deputy with Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma: they may well have been dismissed by the Presidency as ‘preposterous’, ‘outrageous’ and ‘completely baseless’, but according to SACP spokesperson Alex Mashilo his party is sufficiently wary to be ‘monitoring’ every move the President makes on ‘the matter’ (SABC News). One cannot help but wonder, suggests Pam Saxby for Legalbrief Policy Watch, what the investor community is making of it all.

Writing for Fin24, Solly Moeng has warned that – while ‘many South Africans’ are willing to allow Ramaphosa ‘time’ to make ‘the kind of changes needed’ to end ‘state capture and large-scale corruption’ – they nevertheless expect ‘the beautiful speeches he has been making at home and abroad … to quickly be followed by action’. But is the ‘process’ alluded to yesterday in his statement as ANC president enough? According to Moeng, Ramaphosa ‘cannot accomplish anything without first unblocking the system by removing Zuma from power and taking over the Presidency – or appointing a trusted, respected interim President and implementing a total Cabinet reshuffle’. Is that what is implied by a reference in the statement to ‘constructive’ discussions laying the basis for a ‘speedy resolution’ to the ongoing cirisis? Time will tell. Meanwhile, EFF commander-in-chief Julius Malema has alluded to ‘plans’ for making life even more difficult for the Deputy President if ever he takes the country’s helm than it has become for Zuma (Mail & Guardian).