Wait, another pro-Ramaphosa Grootes piece? Just kidding, I enjoyed this dissection... but perspective matters.

While I saw this factional stalemate persisting at the beginning of the year, I did not think Zuma would actually follow through with Gordhan's axing. But he did. Oh and guess what? The sky hasn't fallen. I thought Madonsela's State Capture report would make his 2017 miserable, but he's masterfully evaded it. If we're to be objective, those are major W's.

Some earth-shaking, financial L's have pierced his armor: no banks, no auditors, no PR, no JSE-listing and now a freeze on a R1.75 Billion mine rehab slush fund. But they are a creative bunch. Even though things are drying up fast, don't underestimate their ability to kick the can down the road.  The Presidency has already arrogated Treasury's budgetary responsibilities and wrested control of the PIC. He has his soldiers gatekeeping the nation's finances, SOEs and prosecutorial powers. This is a war of attrition!