Is Tokyo Sexwale laying the foundation for a run at the Presidency if Jacob Zuma's path to power is cut off by his corruption case?
That was the first question that came to mind when I saw that Sexwale has started pressing Thabo Mbeki to come clean about his role in the arms deal that increasingly is taking on a life of its own in South African politics. After all, Sexwale might assume, Zuma's case will play out on its own, so there is no need right now to take on the ANC president. But by going after Mbeki, and by doing so on an issue that will allow Sexwale to show his moral probity, he has also engaged in a cunning act of political triangulation.
If Sexwale throws his hat in the ring (or if he plays it so that he is summoned by his party and his people to service after a Zuma implosion) we may look back on this as the crucial moment of origin.