The illusion of power and pain of betrayal

Recently in South African, president Jacob Zuma was recalled by his political African National Congress (ANC) party, suddenly ending his presidency and effectively replacing him with millionaire businessman Cyril Ramaphosa.

Zuma, a prominent and charismatic figure from KwaZulu-Natal, is said to have been close to the iconic Nelson Mandela when they were imprisoned in Robben Island in 1963.
The two men shared similar beliefs during the anti-apartheid struggles but their leadership principles differed, as Zuma’s presidency since 2009 has been tarnished with corruption scandals.

To many people in different parts of the world, ANC recalling Zuma was long overdue. However, to Zuma and his allies, it is a clear case of mistreatment, unfairness and complete political betrayal by the ANC Party.

A similar case of political betrayal was witnessed in November 2017 just a few months ago in Zimbabwe with the fall of former president Robert Mugabe at the hands of the army.

The generals told the world that it was an intervention. Nevertheless, it ended Mugabe’s 37 years in power. Mugabe’s legacy was recently summarised as a turbulent tenure, marked with allegations of human rights abuses, electoral fraud and economic collapse that left Zimbabweans on their knees.
Mugabe, 94, despite having close to four decade’s experience of being in power, was blindsided by misplaced trust and political power. So loyalty slipped away.

In the same way as Zuma, Mugabe must have felt a painful sense of betrayal by his Zanu-PF party when they expelled him, with parliament hot on his heels threatening to finish him off with an impeachment.
It would seem betrayal is power’s co-wife and the relationship started as early as 44BC when Julius Caesar was betrayed by Roman senators Brutus and Cassius. Caesar died in a power struggle for the Roman Empire.

In the Bible in Luke 22 (NIV), Judas Iscariot being one of the 12 disciples Jesus Christ’s inner circle, betrayed the Son of God, treacherously asking: “What will you give me?” They eventually agreed on the price of 30 pieces of silver.

According to 16th century French philosopher Montaigne, betrayal is known to have come from a Middle English word “bitrayen”, which means to deceive, aid the enemy and commit treason in some cases.
In the political sense, it would be to say there are people, the inner circle around powerful leaders who are very canning and dangerous. These individuals are the ones who execute the fall of power. When the time comes they will brutally, mercilessly nail the coffin shut.

Some people say before this happens, the inner circle strategically fight for the leader’s attention. Their intention is to blindside the leader and make the seat of power totally dependent on them.

The leader’s judgement and decisions becomes obscured. They no longer have the clarity to see a hidden missile coming to dislodge them from the seat of power until it is too late. It would seem the plan was executed with precision with the two comrades. They were caught off guard, taken by surprise having under estimated the incoming fired missile from the bended corner.

Although in Uganda there are no hidden corners, the confusion and sophisticated level of secrecy seems to be making people afraid. The fear on the streets is real and comfortably hiving in broad daylight.

Ms Victoria Nyeko is a media commentator.
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Twitter:@VictoriaNyeko