‘Scorched earth’ is Zuma’s last option, warns top analyst
'The key protagonist – President Zuma – is in a weakened state with only a ‘scorched earth’ strategy remaining to him'
President Jacob Zuma is back into a corner with only one option remaining to him in the political war being waged in SA — a scorched earth policy — and this makes for an extremely unpredictable political environment. This is the view of Nomura analyst Peter Attard Montalto. "We appear to be entering the political endgame in terms of the current political ‘war’," he writes in a research note, "but in this vortex of risks on all fronts things are ultimately unpredictable because the key protagonist – President Zuma – is in a weakened state with only a ‘scorched earth’ strategy remaining to him. "We think parliament should be watched particularly closely." The research note identifies the ANC’s last national executive committee meeting as the "seminal moment", one that enabled senior leaders to publicly declare their support for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan after the National Prosecuting Authority announced charges against him last week.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.