South Africa’s newspaper readers were treated 10 days ago to what in tabloid parlance was the ultimate “marmalade-dropper”. Splashed all over the front pages of the main weekend papers was the sensational claim that Jacob Zuma, a leading contender for the leadership of the ruling African National Congress was being funded by Libya and Angola to oust President Thabo Mbeki.

If true – and it has been denied by all involved – that would end his political career and transform the dynamics of the race for the ANC’s leadership. But few if any in South Africa saw the allegation, based on a supposed secret intelligence report, as a potentially devastating scoop. Rather it was seen as yet another insight into the increasingly conspiratorial atmosphere in the upper echelons of the party as it faces its most contentious leadership succession in decades.