The Knives Are Out

President Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet reshuffle has caused unprecedented open rebellion in the ruling party.

- Sabelo Ndlangisa

RUMOURS of a reshuffle had bubbled for days but it still took the nation by surprise. President Jacob Zuma, seemingly without consulting anyone, had shaken the bag of Cabinet ministers, dump ed a bunch of people who didn’t agree with him and replaced them with others he believed would toe the line.

The announcement came at midnight – and those who had gone to bed woke to a country in crisis and a Government in turmoil. As the rand went into free fall, an outpouring of outrage came from all corners of the land and in no time mass protests were being organised.

Chants of “Zuma must go” filled the Cape Town City Hall during the memorial service of struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada and high-ranking members of the ANC openly voiced their dissent.

The Night of the Long Knives, as the events of 30 March are being called, had shaken the country to its core.

SO WHAT WAS IT REALLY ABOUT? 

The ANC is due to hold its policy conference in June, to be followed by its elective conference in December when a successor to Zuma will be chosen.

By removing the biggest thorn in his side – Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan – the President has ensured he’ll go to the December conference stronger and bolder, political commentator Ralph Mathekga says.

“With Malusi Gigaba heading the Finance Ministry, Zuma doesn’t have to worry about a National Treasury that says ‘no’ whenever he proposes mega projects,” he wrote in the Sunday Times.