African National Congress secretary-general Gwede Mantashe’s statement that the governing party would not “tear itself apart” by recalling a President who failed in his obligation to “uphold, defend and respect the Constitution” offers a tiny glimpse into the reasons behind its weak response to what should have been a decisive Constitutional Court ruling. But papering over the cracks can only disguise crumbling structures for so long. And implosion may well be much worse that a mere tear.