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Cape Town - A huge battle is raging inside the ANC to gain access to state resources, political analyst Justice Malala said at a Deloitte State of the Nation event on Friday.
"As long as this situation continues, all of us must prepare ourselves for events like what happened this week when Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was summoned," said Malala.
"We should ask why an institution like the Hawks with priority crimes to deal with goes and challenges an early retirement matter. Instead of dealing with money laundering of billions of rand, they decide to deal with an administrative pension matter," said Malala.
"It might then be because that institution has been captured and is being used for political views. Why did they do nothing about similar cases in the past? It must be because Gordhan has been stopping corruption in various parts of government."
In Malala's view matters will only calm down once it becomes clear who will succeed President Jacob Zuma, and where the ANC is heading.
"In the meantime, tighten your seatbelts: it is going to be turbulent," he cautioned.
He commended Public Prosecutor Thuli Madonsela "and others like her" who, at a time when South Africa is going through troubled waters, "demonstrated the power of institutions and the power of one individual saying this is how far you can go and not further".
READ: Sunter: Gordhan should finalise court case speedily
Student protests
Malala said due to high unemployment, SA will continue to see social unrest.
"Our society has to find solutions for unemployment and inequality. Although it is a minority of the minority of the minority of students who are burning and looting, we must see it in the context of only four out of 100 children sent to school who will obtain a degree within the first few years after leaving matric," said Malala.
"If we do not do something about education, this unrest will continue. It is a matter for national government policy. The conversation on campus has gone beyond free education."
He said those protesting have not made it clear what they propose in the place of all the things they want to see "fall" - including fees, universities and even science.
"For me the issue is that there is no leadership to say what they are putting on the table in the place of what they want to see 'fall'. Julius Malema should speak to his radical EFF student command and tell them to stop burning and go and write exams. This is a big challenge for his leadership," said Malala.
"In my view, the first thing we need is actually access to education, but why should we fund it? Why are people burning libraries for my child if I can afford to pay? We have a situation which almost ignores the realities of our country. Let us find a way that will leave no child behind, but those who can afford to pay should pay."
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