It was four years ago when the EFF referred to then president Jacob Zuma as a constitutional delinquent. It was at the height of the party’s push for Zuma’s demise. History has taught us that there are no permanent friends and foes in politics.
Just on Friday, EFF leader Julius Malema met with the very man who only a couple of years ago he seemingly despised, spending years gunning for his removal.
And this meeting for “tea” took place in the very week that Zuma decided to show the proverbial middle finger to both the state capture commission as well as the Constitutional Court.
What the two former allies-turned-enemies actually discussed is yet to be revealed, but the timing of the meeting is telling.
For one, the two political heavyweights wanted SA to know they were meeting, with the news playing out on Twitter and the visuals broadcast on TV.
Also, it is clear for all to see that there is an open revolt within the ANC, with the grouping aligned to Zuma becoming increasingly critical, almost hostile, towards President Cyril Ramaphosa and his leadership.
The fact that this is all taking place as testimony at the state capture commission continues to reveal the extent of the rot presided over by Zuma and the men and women who were behind him, demonstrates that he is becoming desperate.
Zuma has refused to appear before the commission again to answer to the allegations against him, effectively daring law enforcement to arrest him, knowing that the ramifications would create havoc within the ANC and potentially weaken Ramaphosa’s standing in the party.
Is he building up support ahead of what will no doubt be an epic fight? Could this be what the meeting with Malema was about? The weeks and months ahead will no doubt reveal all.