08 May 2006

Wounded Zuma wins first round Is the headline on the BBC News website, following the verdict in the Jacob Zuma rape case, just delivered.  So, no clear-cut verdict, and his vociferous supporters will feel he is vindicated, but the truth is that his repotation is in tatters, and were it politically possible, the ANC should ditch him as vice-president, and leave him to twist and turn during the upcoming trila for corruption. Probably too much to hope for, and the reputation of the organization should suffer accordingly. 5:00:19 PM    comment []

Robert Kirby Lashes Out at Rasool and ANC The ever-acerbic Kirby, always good for a read, has a few harsh words for Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool and the ANC generally for being power-crazed, and seeking to overturn the results of the recent municipal election in Cape Town, by seemingly approving the disgraceful epsiode when the new Mayor, Helen Zille, was physically attacked at a public meeting by ANC supporters. At the very least, Rasool and the ANC are guilty of creating a climate where such episodes are accepted behaviour. He also has a go at the culture of corruption at local government level, and the power cuts in the Western Cape, which were so evident, and so disruptive, while I was there in February. 4:42:42 PM    comment []