South Africa's highest court has unequivocally rejected Thabo Mbeki's application to have the decision that effectively cost him his Presidency (or at least provided the excuse for his antagonists to unsheath the knives) reconsidered. The National Prosecuting Authority is appealing the same case, albeit on different grounds, but ultimately, Mbeki's long-shot effort has failed, and even if he had won it is hard to envision a situation whereby he would have been reinstated.
The question remains, however, as to which way Mbeki's political loyalties will flow in the weeks to come. He still has some political capital and not a few loyalists who will be inclined to follow him whichever way he goes. It is impossible to imagine him ever coming close to the presidency again, but he does seem poised to help play the role of kingmaker in the future.
