Are the Zuptas and their acolytes confused?

There was a time when Jacob Zuma and his fellow trough-feeders seemed determined to brazen out the claims of state capture and, indeed, they even went on the offensive, no doubt buoyed by the traction being gained in the national debate by issues such as “radical economic transformation” and “white monopoly capital”.

Now, though, they’re all looking a bit confused. Is it that they got a bloody nose at the recent ANC national policy conference by the “other” faction loyal to Cyril Ramaphosa? Is it because the avalanche of incriminating information from the #GuptaLeaks is just too much? Is it because even the Gupta PR bulldog, Bell Pottinger, has run away whining with its tail between its legs?

The most interesting place to see this confusion is around the recommendations by Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane that parliament should change the fundamental mandate of the SA Reserve Bank.

It was expected that the bank itself would oppose that idea, but not long afterwards Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba joined the chorus of objections. Not long, it must be said, after the rand did its impression of the Titanic on international markets …

Now we see another Zuma stalwart, Baleka Mbete, wading into the fray on behalf of parliament to attack the public protector for making an “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic” order which “perverts the separation of powers”.

That is exactly what we would expect the speaker of parliament to do. But to be honest, Mbete has very seldom done what is expected of a speaker in a democratic parliament … so call us surprised.

If Mbete’s move is genuine, it is a good thing and bodes well for the rule of law and the safety of the constitution – things which don’t appear to have been high on the priority list of Zuma Inc.

Let’s hope it’s not just expedient.