Jacob Zuma: ‘I’m just watching’
Corruption is not an ethical problem for the ANC, but a political weapon, writes Gareth van Onselen
President Jacob Zuma said in a recent speech: "It’s like those who steal today — they say Zuma steals while they are the worst thieves. They have investigated me all over but they are finding nothing because I’m not doing anything. If they have found it, it would be over [for me]. Those are the thieves and I know they are stealing. I’m just watching them. I know them."The politics of that remark seems to have made the biggest impact. Interpreted as a threat and most likely directed at both his friends and enemies, it was argued that the statement shows the increasing pressure Zuma is under. But it is no less remarkable on face value. The president of the republic says he knows who is stealing and "I’m just watching them". You would think he should be doing something about it, rather than just watch. You’d be right, too. But you would also be kidding yourself — corruption is not an ethical problem for the ANC, it is a political weapon. People are allowed to steal because it provides ...
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