What now, many asked after the release of South Africa’s Chief Justice Zondo’s damning report on President Jacob Zuma’s role in the State Capture saga by the infamous Gupta family. Will the wily ex-President be forced to face his judges and be sent to the place where he should be instead of his palatial Nkandla?
As so often, the Daily Maverick’ online report is spot on. It seems the Guptas easily identified Zuma as someone, who could be persuaded that it was in his own interest to help them rob his own state of billions. By thanking the protesters of 2017, who brought about Zuma’s withdrawal from the top job and the setting up of the investigation into the proceedings of the incredible Gupta era, three men were justified. Pravin Gordhan, Mcebisi Jonas, Nhlanhla Nene protected the country’s Treasury and therefore were sacked. The finance minister apparently needed the Gupta’s approval, for they went as far as offering a bribe to Jonas to take the job.
Any charges of bribery raised against the Gupta brothers would need the extradition to South Africa, something they have evaded so far. However, Zuma is in KwaZulu, already facing other charges. Zondo surely has gathered sufficient evidence for prosecutors to proceed.
In the case of another ex-President, the No. 45 of the USA, the question of prosecution has also come up with regard to his involvement in the Washington insurrection of the 6th January 2021. There have been oodles of so-called bombshell revelations of Trumpery, that many commentators have asked, why the responsible state attorney hasn’t yet filed an indictment. But then, politics and laws of other counties may need proof of smoking guns and are perhaps too complex for onlookers to truly comprehend.
Which doesn’t mean they would love to see the gates shut on either wrongdoer.