In being prepared to fall on his sword, so to speak, with regard to the infamous fax, Schabir Shaik would remove a major impediment to Deputy President Jacob Zuma keeping his position and becoming the next president.

While there would be the small inconvenience of a jail term, this would no doubt lead to early parole, a swift presidential pardon and a government job, justified on the basis of Schabir's struggle credentials.

With acknowledgements to Chris Powell and the Business Day.