Political implications could be on the cards for Zuma, Malema: analyst

Speculation has reached fever pitch after the two political adversaries agreed to meet “for tea” at the former president’s Nkandla home.

The meeting is said to be taking place this weekend.

“I wonder what will be the political implications of other leaders extending invitations to meet with him, what does that say about our democracy? Do the leaders care about what people are thinking about them, or are people just supposed to watch and be spectators and even speculate about what is supposed to come out?

“In normal circumstances, it should be costly to meet someone who is defying the constitution. Why would anyone want to do that, what would you be wanting to achieve in that? But then this is South Africa, stranger things have happened.”

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Earlier this week, former president Zuma wrote to the commission of inquiry into state capture, informing it that he would not be testifying.

This is despite a Constitutional Court judgment that ordered him to appear and testify at the commission. 

The commission subsequently said it would be laying a criminal complaint against the former head of state.

The commission also warned Zuma that if he does not appear before the commission in February, he would be held in contempt of court. 

The EFF has encouraged Zuma to appear and testify at the commission, although the party said it believes the commission is being used to settle political scores.