Numbers don't lie

[RBM]( [Mail & Guardian Newsletter logo](#) [mg.co.za]( [The Ampersand Daily Newsletter from the M&G team](#) [Divider Strip] August 28 2020 | [View in browser]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( Hi there, Does the state really care about gender-based violence? A 35 000 testing backlog says no. In this week's edition the shocking statistics that show why there is still no justice for women -- no matter what the politicians say. As always, all stories are available in print and online. Backlogs, booze, testicular cancer -- all factors blamed for the apparent ineptitude or unwillingness to tackle a pandemic that is silently killing women all over the country. Athandiwe Saba and Sarah Smit delve into the stories of women and children who have been murdered, raped and broken by men -- and [why the state is doing little more than talk](. Meanwhile, the power grid is still unstable, and will be for some time. That reality means the economy will struggle to rebuild after the effects of Covid-19. This instability has spread to Eskom's administration, which is stuck in a vicious fight between its board, chief executive Andr de Ruyter and the treasury, reports Sabelo Skiti. At the heart of this are allegations of irregular appointments, a fight with the national treasury over [the cancellation of oil contracts and conflicts of interests](. This situation has already seen one board member resign. The theme of unrest continues to the ruling party where President Cyril Ramaphosa's enemies in the governing party will use this weekend's national executive committee (NEC) meeting to try to force an investigation into the funding of his 2017 campaign for the ANC presidency. While the meeting is officially meant to discuss decisive action against those accused of corruption in the party, Paddy Harper reports that the faction led by secretary general Ace Magashule will instead try to [force the focus on Ramaphosa and his backers](. A deathmatch between Cyril and Ace is now necessary as well as inevitable, argues Richard Calland. They can't both survive. [One must fail and fall](. If Ace is still secretary general this time next year then it will mean that Cyril's days are numbered. If Cyril is to survive and make it through to a second term, Ace must fall and soon. Eusebius McKaiser writes that we need to accept that Ramaphosa has turned out to be a monumental disappointment. Once we do so, we can then ask a more important question: What are the implications of the fact that [Ramaphosa is a monumental disappointment]( We're tired of bearing bad news so here's a quick pick-me-up: [ordinary women doing extraordinary things for the future of this country.]( We talked to them. Check it out. That's us for another week. As always we wish you a calm, relaxing weekend, free from emails and work calls. But if you still can't resist, we're always on the other end at [editoronline@mg.co.za.](mailto:EditorOnline@mg.co.za) Until Tuesday, Kiri Rupiah & Luke Feltham [Divider Strip] [Behavioural]( [Divider Strip] [Behavioural]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( You are receiving this email on {EMAIL} because 1.) You're a member of "Mail & Guardian" or 2.) previously subscribed [M&G logo] 25 Owl St, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg, 2092 Want to be removed? No problem! [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Email support: help@media-connect.co.za - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -