State Capture Commission chair, Raymond Zondo’s recommendation that South Africa moves to directly elect its president is flawed.

Political analyst, Professor Steven Friedman contends that this would make it more difficult for a sitting president to be held accountable. He says that this complaint is based on political parties choosing their leaders, who in turn will take on the role of president should the party win a majority in a national election.

But this concern has largely been directed at the ANC. Friedman contends that it’s no longer guaranteed that the ANC will win outright majorities, and that people often vote in accordance with who the party candidate is. Friedman therefore maintains that changing to a presidential system will pose more problems later.

Political analysts Professor Steven Friedman and Dr Sithembile Mbete