Corruption and the different faces of the ANC

Deputy-President Kgalema Motlanthe made a clarion call to ANC branch leaders in Gauteng saying that “the fight against crime and corruption must first start within the ANC”. It is the duty of every decent ANC member to take up this call. The ANC National Executive Committee has to set the example.

Two major corruption scandals have emerged last week within state institutions. The ANC NEC and President Jacob Zuma must act on it immediately otherwise we must call into doubt the seriousness of the leadership in dealing with corruption. First, Minister Siphiwe Nyanda was again implicated in attempts to influence tenders in his department when his dismissed Director-General Mamodupi Mohlala approached the Labour Court for reinstatement. This follows the Transnet tender scandal and a new one that is emerging in the Gauteng government. Second, General Bheki Cele appears to be involved in an irregular tender award to the tune of R500 million. Apparently, the police Ministry and Department need new headquarters. Would the money not be better spent on equipment for the police or after-school care for children?

The big business faction of the ANC and their cohorts in the state apparatus must be challenged otherwise the ANC will always have two-faces — a face of social justice for elections and a face of corruption when in power. ANC Ministers and Directors-General must face justice when corruption is alleged.

Source: Writing Rights - Zackie Achmat