Jacob Zuma relishes his day in court as Cyril Ramaphosa faces ‘very dark hour’
As South Africa’s former president appears before a corruption inquiry, there are fears he could stir up trouble for his successor
Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s former president, will make an unprecedented appearance before a judicial inquiry for a five-day grilling this week over corruption allegations relating to his years in power.
Zuma has been accused of presiding over an immense system of corruption and patronage that drained billions from the exchequer and damaged the reputation of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) beyond repair.
But there are fears that the veteran politician will use the hearings as a platform to attack his successor,
Cyril Ramaphosa, who ousted Zuma last year, aggravating the bitter struggle between factions of the divided party. Although Ramaphosa led the ANC to a convincing electoral victory in May, the 66-year-old tycoon and former labour activist has so far been unable to assert his authority over the party, and observers say he is looking increasingly weak.
“Ramaphosa is entering a very dark hour and his defenders are few and far between,”
wrote commentator Adriaan Basson shortly after Ramaphosa made the traditional state of the nation address.