The remarkable developments of the past week have raised a number of fundamental questions about our President; about the ANC, about power – and about our constitutional democracy.

The first of these relates to the ability of Mr Zuma to carry out the grave responsibilities that our Constitution devolves on him. In the wake of his inexplicable – and still unexplained – decision to dismiss the Finance Minister, Nhlanhla Nene, it is perhaps more important than ever to try to understand what motivates Jacob Zuma.