SA is a new democracy that has effectively only one political party to choose from.

In this situation the Jacob Zuma affair shows how frighteningly simple it is for the governing party to muddy issues for its own ends.

First lean on the director of public prosecutions not to prosecute.

No one can confirm that happened, least of all Bulelani Ngcuka, but it confuses things nicely from the outset.

Analysts, journalists, lawyers and parliamentarians, all have different views and now chip in their 2c. Zuma is "entitled" to a trial.

The media cannot "decide" innocence or guilt. We are being "unfair". Zuma should not resign.

It is impossible to refute any of this: government can declare how shocked it is with anyone who tries.

So the debate moves on to question what is the proper "legal procedure", when public opinion cannot possibly know; to ask what is "right or wrong", when it is divided.

In no time government and the ANC are safe again behind the old political certainties: discredit the opposition; label anyone who is against you racist; close ranks around the ruling elite.

How long before we learn? The issue in politics is not a legal one, not a moral one, but a political one.

In a democracy where there is an elected opposition, Zuma would be out quicker than you can say knife. There, fair or unfair, right or wrong, "legally proven" or not, the ruling party cannot stand the heat of having anyone in public life that the public cannot trust.

With acknowledgements to Paul Whelan and the Business Day.