Everyone in the ruling party understands: what happens in the ANC stays in the ANC. Obedience and loyalty are key tenets. Under the leadership of Jacob Zuma this fidelity would morph into a form of Omerta, the Mafia’s code of silence and non co-operation with the outside world in matters of criminality. However, the edifice cracked in March 2016 when Mcebisi Jonas revealed the Gupta family had bribed him to accept the Finance Ministry. ANC MP Vytjie Mentor blew the whistle soon afterwards and has been hanging the ANC’s dirty laundry out to dry ever since. By MARIANNE THAMM.