One cannot help but feel a deep sense of helplessness as a host of unsavoury incidents play themselves out in the name of our beloved ANC.

One cannot help but feel a deep sense of helplessness as a host of unsavoury incidents play themselves out in the name of our beloved ANC.

National leaders are painted with the brush of dubious dealings, from the arms deal to Eastern Cape. Provincial structures and municipalities are in disarray.

The common thread through this political maelstrom seems to be greed. A normal human trait, you might say.

But it is the manifestation of ill-discipline that causes discomfort. Regardless of the human rights "legalities" or procedures, what is uncoiling is the ugly spectre of a lack of respect for national institutions such as the Human Right Commission, Constitutional Court and lower courts - the list goes on and on.

Poor Ebrahim Rasool, pictured, finds himself an easy target but, being a man of integrity, he has pre-empted the situation like a true leader.

Unfortunately many like him are going to walk into the sunset. Heaven help us.

Dismayed, Bloemfontein