An important fact that Richard Poplak has missed is that, in terms of Article 84(2)(j) of the Constitution, the president of South Africa has the right to pardon or reprieve offenders, but a presidential pardon does not give one the chance to avoid criminal prosecution. No president can offer anyone impunity from the law. A future president could therefore only pardon Zuma after he has gone through a due legal process and has been found guilty.