It was not accidental that the ANC’s parliamentary caucus is packed with loyalists of former president Jacob Zuma and secretary-general Ace Magashule — think Mosebenzi Zwane, Bongani Bongo, Faith Muthambi.

It was done rather purposefully — in a process driven by Magashule — in the run-up to the 2019 national election, and its benefits for him and his faction are about to be put to the test. Public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is set to face potential removal from office, requiring two-thirds of MPs in parliament to agree, and a united ANC caucus is key in order to remove her...