THE HOLE IS GETTING DEEPER FOR THE ANC

Jacob Zuma has enjoyed a teflon-esque presidency. Until the Constitutional Court's ruling opposition parties have been unable to launch effective political attacks against him. That has now changed starting with the DA's motion to impeach All ANC MP's voted and defeated the motion. Not surprising, but was it an exercise in futility? On its face, it would appear to be so, but the future may hold otherwise. The ANC had no alternative but to rally around Zuma, even if it meant demeaning the gravity of the Constitutional Court judgment. The risk of losing patronage and self-interest through Zuma's removal was all consuming - curbing the insatiable appetite for corrupt ill-gotten gains was not a consideration. The measure of comfort the ANC enjoys in defeating the impeachment motion will be short-lived. Besides court actions and protests that will surely follow, economic forces will sound the political death knell for Zuma. The longer the ANC supports Zuma, the greater the deleterious impact on the country due to indefensible ideological economic policies that reduce foreign investment, depreciate the value of the rand, downgrade the country's credit rating, and further imperil already impoverished millions of South Africans. Also, not to be overlooked are faith-based organizations, comprising South Africa's largest voting constituency, who have called for Zuma's removal. Others will follow suit; pressure will continue to mount, and the ANC will be forced to relent. In doing so, under protest, the ANC will have irreparably initiated the process of self-immolation. A number of ANC MP's resorted to biblical quotes in defending Zuma. The quote in Deuteronomy 32:35 is, however, more in keeping with the ANC's impolitic rallying call around Zuma: ". . . In due time their foot will slip: For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them".