When forced out ministers come back

In the film Casino by master director Martin Scorsese, the main character, Ace Rothstein, a casino owner, explains the virtues of Las Vegas. "For guys like me, Las Vegas washes away your sins. It's like a morality car wash. It does for us what Lourdes does for humpbacks and cripples," says Rothstein. It may be Las Vegas that does it for Rothstein. But for others, it is time that does it. In a country not known for long-term memory, politicians creaking under a heavy load of accusations can always point to time to save their political careers.

This week has once again opened up with a feeding frenzy for journalists, who in turn have been dishing out to the ever-hungry public. Over the weekend, there were murmurs that some minister might be resigning. On Tuesday it was a story. The Justice Minister, Ramadeluka Seretse would resign to face charges of corruption.