South Africa - Johannesburg - 25 May 2024 - President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the partys followers during the African National Congress(ANC) Siyanqoba rally at the FNB stadium. Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspaper
THE ANC continues to prove why the so-called renewal of the organisation, championed by its President Cyril Ramaphosa, is a failed strategy its critics correctly argue is being used to target those not belonging to the ‘right’ faction.
If not, why would it only summon a handful of its members to answer over their alleged involvement in state capture when there is documented evidence emanating from the Zondo Commission implicating a long list of heavyweights?
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula defended the decision to not haul party chairperson and Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, before the Integrity Commission because he had already provided his side of the story to allegations relating to the Bosasa-sponsored security upgrades at his residences.
His silence was, however loud on why Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, ANC’s 1st deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane, whose names appear prominently in Zondo Commission, are not featuring in the list that must account for their alleged role in state capture.
In the absence of a valid explanation, it is easy to conclude that the process is targeted at some of those who have fallen out of “favour” such as Malusi Gigaba, Zizi Kodwa, David Mahlobo and Cedric Frolick.
This is not to dictate who the ANC should call to account or how it should conduct its business, far from it. In fact, it should be credited for getting to this point, albeit too little too late.
What becomes problematic is when a process, that is supposedly geared towards the so-called renewal, appears to be selective.
Worse still when some of the implicated individuals who are not held accountable occupy the highest offices in government paid for by the taxpayer.
As Ramaphosa correctly pointed out much earlier in his presidency, the ANC he leads is corruption accused number 1. The seriousness of this statement says the party was ready to renew itself. The opposite has actually happened and South Africans have rightly rejected the renewal rhetoric during the election.
What is now left of the ANC is to see itself being in more opposition benches post next year’s government elections.
Cape Times