While most see the idea of the former president as finance minister as a joke, some appear to be taking it a bit more seriously.
Popular Twitter parody account @AdvBarryRoux on Tuesday morning tweeted a presumably Photoshopped picture of a television screen showing a SABC News anchor with the caption “Former President Jacob Zuma to be sworn in as new finance minister”.
The story was also carried by Mzansi Stories, a website known for publishing news which is often questionable.
Most Twitter users took this as the joke it almost certainly is, adding their own humorous responses.
Zuma is not the only name who has been bandied about, whether authentically or not, as a replacement for finance minister Nhlanhla Nene.
The Citizen reported on Monday that in the days following a dip in confidence about Nene’s character, there has been a lot of speculation about how long the minister will remain in his position.
Nene’s reputation took a knock after he admitted to having met with the Guptas several times while deputy finance minister, something he had previously denied.
Then, the finance minister was met with further controversy after his role in a deal involving his son while Nene was chairperson of the PIC (Public Investment Corporation) has been probed following the release of a Mail & Guardian report.
Get out of here🤔 pic.twitter.com/XDKTFvfxxW
— S_Kay (@SM_mtwa) October 9, 2018
Zuma to be sworn in as Finance Minister? The guy doesn't know Math though, SA economy is not in good hands.. pic.twitter.com/2TZulIoeVT
— Daddy's Princess👑 (@LadyMo_Lesh) October 9, 2018
Jacob Zuma, finance minister? Amen.
— Raheem. (@Levytheblessing) October 9, 2018
-The Citizen