Jacob Zuma: In the right place, at the right time

“Anyone but him” was a popular political sentiment by the time former South African president Thabo Mbeki was forced from office. So South Africa got Jacob Zuma.

Zuma was viewed as the antidote to Mbeki. A popular politician, he easily rallied crowds. Perceived to be the victim of Machiavellian efforts by Mbeki to remove him from office, he was expected to be more open to debate and discussion in the ruling ANC.

No matter how tainted he was by allegations of corruption in office and a questionable personal life for somebody in high office, Zuma was somebody around who Mbeki’s opponents could rally. In 2007 he was elected President of the ANC and became President of South Africa in 2009.

Earlier removed as Deputy President of South Africa because of allegations of corruption, Zuma has seemingly not been any more careful about his financial affairs during his second chance in office. Just one of the long-running scandals that continue to hamper him is an estimated R250 million (Dh92 million) government upgrade of his home in the rural area of Nkandla, seemingly in contravention of state regulations. It has been the subject of a government investigation, but the findings have not yet been revealed.

Then there is his relationship with the wealthy Gupta family. Originally from India, the family is close to Zuma and his family. There have been persistent allegations that they have undue influence over him and have used their connection to secure government business for their companies. Both Zuma and the family have denied anything untoward in their relationship.

However, the relationship came under close scrutiny this year when the Guptas used a South African military base to fly in friends and family from India for a wedding, sparking security concerns and a national outcry.

This was the latest in a series of allegations of friends and family of Zuma using his position to secure lucrative business opportunities.

Without opposition to Mbeki to keep them together, many of Zuma’s allies have split from him. The former leader of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), the hothead Julius Malema, has apologised to South Africans for helping to make him president. Malema, who led the charge against Mbeki, was drummed out of the ANCYL, for shooting his mouth off and allegedly failing to toe the Zuma line.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, which also supported Zuma in his fight against Mbeki, has become embroiled in a leadership struggle, after some of its officials began trying to tackle corruption and criticised his government. The unionists allege there are efforts to remove them from the ranks of the labour federation.

The ANC faces a general election next year and there is growing concern that divisions over Zuma have weakened the party and he might be a liability at the polls. There is little danger of it losing the election, but Zuma knows better than most that the ANC will change its leadership, if it becomes necessary.