POLITICAL NEWS - Jacob Zuma’s attempts to prolong his stay at the Union Buildings have not been motivated by a need to introduce ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa to the African Union and Brics.
That’s nonsense. The motives are sinister.
It is plausibly argued that Zuma has been threatened by Russian President Vladimir Putin over a nuclear deal. Gas contracts could also feature.
Plane spotters recently tracked a Gupta-owned Bombardier (ZS-OAK) approaching St Petersburg, Russia.
Thanks to journalist Julian Rademeyer for tweeting the planefinder. net records.
Other Zupta watchers noted Energy Minister David Mahlobo and Public Service Minister Faith Muthambi travelling in the Middle East last week.
On the move, Mahlobo also met Russian Minister Sergey Donsky at the mining indaba in Cape Town, along with Russian Ambassador Mikhail Petrakov and the chair of SA’s Central Energy Fund, Luvo Makasi.
All this led to speculation.
The timing, coinciding with Zexit manoeuvres, has been exquisite for conspiracy theorists.
Admittedly this is conjecture. But let’s do it anyway.
Stellenbosch academic Mark Swilling has weighed in with background in the Daily Maverick.
According to Swilling, people privy to Zexit talks know that “Zuma is terrified, and that this has got something to do with the nuclear deal. ….. Have the Russians threatened him or his family in some way?”
