‘Unpredictable’ EFF likely to disrupt Sona again
Experts agreed that, while security was expected to be heightened, this would not shield Zuma from attacks from the opposition.
It was demonstrated last year when the Constitutional Court ruled that president Jacob Zuma failed to uphold the Constitution when he didn’t adhere to the Public Protector’s ruling. Picture: Gallo images
Chaos is likely to precede Thursday night’s state of the nation address (Sona) by President Jacob Zuma, according to political analyst Elvis Masoga.
Speaking to The Citizen on Monday, Masoga said South Africans could expect protest action, particularly from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema.
Malema tweeted on Monday that, “We are ready for the so called #SONA, no amount of security presence can deter us, “A coward dies a thousand times before his death”.#Asijki.”
We are ready for the so called #SONA, no amount of security presence can deter us, "A coward dies a thousand times before his death".#Asijki
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 6, 2017
“While security in and around parliament is expected to be heightened, law enforcers can and will shield Zuma from anarchy, but they will not be able to shield him from his own personal scandals,” he said.
ALSO READ: Zuma, Ramaphosa to witness Nedlac agreement signing
Another analyst, professor Andre Duvenhage, said contrary to what had happened ahead of the Sona last year, there was a possibility of less drama this time around.
He said the political environment appeared to be a little better.
“I also think law enforcers will be even better prepared this time around, because the situation is not completely stable and a party such as the EFF is also relatively unpredictable,” he said.
Duvenhage said opposition parties would make it easy for Zuma, whom he described as a “wounded leopard”.
He said the content of the Sona was likely to focus on radical economic transformation.
For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.
For more news your way
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.