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By Cliff Buchler

Editor/Journalist


Let’s quit targeting Zuma but rather the ANC as a whole

Free the old man who must be dog-tired defending an entire corrupt regime, to spend his last days in Nkandla.


It has taken a mix of woman’s logic and drugs administered in hospital to change my take on former president Jacob Zuma’s fate.

His ducking the courts has been handy fodder for writers when they’ve nothing substantial to write about. I plead guilty.

OK, he is a failed president suspected of bringing the country to its knees and still has the audacity pleading innocence. Even after being sentenced he managed to escape physical imprisonment by fair means or foul. Another act of genius to help fill opinion pages.

Having said all that, why then my about-turn? This is where only a woman’s natural insights come in – a missing component in a man’s make-up. (This makes a mockery of fanatical feminists’ squeals that we’re all equal).

My Heidi’s words came flooding back when back in the recuperative ward after a successful aorta valve (Porky) replacement procedure.

I quote her: “Was the old man solely on the take in the arms’ deal? No way. It takes two to tango.

Who were they? Not ghosts. And who in the Cabinet were aware of it, but turned a blind eye? The whole gang.

Again, why have their names been withheld for so long? The one man who could’ve ripped the veil from the closely guarded shenanigans is who? Jacob Zuma.

At one stage he got near it by saying he’ll expose the truth. It follows if he had done so, innocent (sic) ministers would’ve been implicated, bringing the ANC into disrepute. Perhaps its end.

“This could not be allowed. Google the names of the Cabinet at the time. On the top of the list is the president himself, Thabo Mbeki.

“Then Google Tony Georgiadis, the Greek shipping tycoon regarded as close to the president and who helped channel millions of dollars in arms deal bribes to South African officials and Cabinet members’.”

Heidi’s words continue taking up brain space, the delete key unresponsive.

Never thought I’d say this: let’s quit targeting Zuma but rather the ANC as a whole. Free the old man who must be dog-tired defending an entire corrupt regime, to spend his last days in Nkandla with immeasurable remorse and without a virtuous legacy.

Punishment enough, surely? Let’s rather turn our attention to the ballot box and pass judgment on the real sinners.

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