The NPA made a mistake to indict Jacob Zuma after Schabir Shaik was sentenced. This led to the case being struck off the roll. Zuma was jubilant, not realising that it gave the NPA more time to probe, hence the new charges of racketeering and tax evasion.

The NPA made a mistake to indict Jacob Zuma after Schabir Shaik was sentenced. This led to the case being struck off the roll. Zuma was jubilant, not realising that it gave the NPA more time to probe, hence the new charges of racketeering and tax evasion.

The NPA went to the UK to probe offshore accounts and to Mauritius to get the diary and documents. Zuma went to court to block the NPA from investigating further.

Having seized control of the ANC, Zuma began a campaign to politicise his fraud case and galvanise sympathy. And his lieutenants, Julius Malema, Zwelinzima Vavi and Blade Nzimande, portray him as leftwing. Malema's statement is part of a broader strategy to "Mugabenise" society, especially the courts. The Hlophe saga is part of the strategy, hence Kgalema Motlanthe's and Gwede Mantashe's statements that are critical of the Concourt. In the next three months Zuma will be portrayed as a victim of conspiracy, without responding to the indictment.

He will try to delay his case until he becomes president. Then his loyal MPs will overhaul the NPA and pass laws granting him immunity.

Zuma was manipulated by Shaik and possibly, Thint.

Elliot Nhlungwana, Kokstad