While the courts determine the guilt or innocence of those accused, the bar for people who claim to be revolutionary should be higher.

Some leaders of the ANC have identified the party as a platform of patronage, power and self-enrichment, in the process defrauding the state.

The second arrest of ANC Northern Cape, chairman John Block on allegations of tender irregularities, should suggest to the ANC that he is not fit to lead. Though Block is not the first or the last ANC leader to face this kind of charges, the ANC has still not developed clear guidelines on how to deal with leaders arrested on allegations of corruption.

From the police, and Hawks to the office of the Public Protector, there are currently cases of misconduct involving ANC leaders that have not been concluded. The fact of the matter is that those being probed have brought the ANC into disrepute in far a worse a manner than reckless statements made by Julius Malema.

Given the number of arrests of its members in the past the ANC was supposed to have worked out the guidelines, but it hides behind innocent until proven guilty, which is not assisting the ANC to provide sound moral leadership in the country.

Last year the ANC national executive committee assigned its secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe, to put together a code of conduct for its leaders that will reveal their business interests, but this has not happened. Such transparency would have helped the party to ensure that leaders do not get involved in businesses where they are conflicted or do direct business with people they know.

The ANC government has adopted Batho Pele principles, which say the government has to interact with and listen to the people it serves.

The same principle can be refined for the ANC with clear rules that members will be punished harshly for any wrongdoing.

At the moment, the ANC seems to tolerate corrupt activities among its leaders.

The ANC should be reminded that it is the ruling party, so an impression is created that the country is governed by a corrupt organisation.

Without rules of engagement for its leaders and business, the in-fighting for leadership positions will continue since this is used as a way to gain access to power.

It is not good enough for the ANC to always wait for the law to run its course. It has to develop stricter ethics.

Comments

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Fri May 24 11:39:06 SAST 2013 ::

Nov 23, 2011

RobinH

Gently pragmatic but articulate piece. Thanks.

"has to interact with and listen to the people it serves" This has been proved to be pie in the sky by this latest jackboot shuffle over press f r e e dom.

As for : the ANC seems to tolerate corrupt activities among its leaders" you are too polite, Sir/Madam. This bill indicates that the ANC not only tolerates corrupt activities among its leaders, but has delibertaely set about creating an environment in which such corruption is protected.

Yesterday the ANC showed the finger to one of the pillars of liberty.
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Nov 23, 2011

candilious

@RobinH- Morning


The article is to the point,but these are things we have been saying all along. The ANC members are shielding behind the name ANC its more of an hole for them to crawl in.Most were found guilty but for the life of me gets a slap on the wrist.

Just yesterday it showed how it changes its spots and its not for the good of the people but too keep that blerrie hole closed their so love to crawl into.
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Nov 23, 2011

lucky7

"Black Tuesday", based on what became known as "Black Wednesday" - 1977, when the apartheid government banned The World, the Sunday World and a Christian publication Pro Veritas, as well as organisations associated with the black consciousness movement. The press has always been a cornerstone in any democratic system,whether we like it or not, the press has been there to keep the greedy politicians and the the ruling party in check.Almost 14 years ago former president Nelson Mandela told journalists that press freedom would never be under threat in South Africa for as "long as the ANC is the majority party" we are entering a new era in our South Africa, where ANC rules and everyone that does not agree with, or would dare to oppose it, is liable to become an enemy of the state.


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Nov 23, 2011

TorentialR

...in the same light that ANC leadership get their feed in the mud and bring the very main organ to a disrepute. We still stand with the ANCYL on many points they raise and see the ANC's downfall for crusifying Julius Malema for telling the truth...what happen yesterday was exactly an indication that the ANC way far loosing its bases and as a result, will loose the votes...Secracy Bill is a total distruction...


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Nov 23, 2011

cornelius

Excellent article, absolutely spot on.
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Nov 23, 2011

KatakataEmaotoAditshepe

@RobinH
@candilious

Jy hou nie van mense wat sy / hy dit gestel het perfekte sonder sterk woorde wat jy doen say.Why jy nie net sê "Dankie dat jy dit die pad te sit"
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Nov 23, 2011

Danielrjvv

You know I do agree. Any person out of Soweto can call themselves freedom fighters, stick a Biko face on his shirt and claim to be so. The ANC has promised and not delivered at all, they have given hope and dashed that very hope. At least the apartheid government came trough with their promises, although they were very wrong. We must get rid of the old horse and have a new political party in power. The symbol of the ANC will always stand, but the duties and powers they have in the future are limited.
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Nov 23, 2011

candilious

@KatakataEmaotoAditshepe-Morning Sir- Sorry tried to read but could barely make out what you are trying to say.If possible could you translate in English or rewrite in proper Afrikaans please.
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Nov 23, 2011

candilious

@Daniel-Morning -So true hey if only half of the population can think for themselves other then to be fed with lies and deceit we could live in a democratic SA. but nee people prefer to have puss blocking their veiw .



@lucky7-And yet so many litrate people celebtated the outcome of this bill not really knowing the history of it. Makes me wonder about some so called Black Africans seriously. I agree with Sin on this 1 we are the freedom fighters its our time now
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Nov 23, 2011

KatakataEmaotoAditshepe

@candilious
KatakataEmaotoAditshepe-Morning Sir- Sorry tried to read but could barely make out what you are trying to say.If possible could you translate in English or rewrite in proper Afrikaans please.
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I was just testing my weapon and it works, goeie môre .

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