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CORRUPTION CONCERNS: Reverend Frank Chikane. Photo: Russell Roberts

FORMER director-general in the Presidency and author of Eight Days in September, The Removal of Thabo Mbeki, Reverend Frank Chikane said yesterday that South Africa's democracy is in crisis because of compromised leaders running the country to serve the interests of crime syndicates.

Chikane said that some of these syndicates are employed within state security agencies by commanders and some work outside the system but have strong links with political leaders.

Speaking at his book launch seminar at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg campus, Chikane also said that corruption levels in the country have increased since the days of Nelson Mandela as president and have worsened under the current leadership.

"If you read articles in the weekend newspapers about [head of police crime intelligence Lieutenant-General Richard] Mdluli, you can see that we are in trouble," Chikane said.

He said while syndicates were taking over the country, some of the dirtiest people in the world were coming and hiding in South Africa.

Chikane, who focused more on the crisis and vulnerability of democracy during the seminar than his book, said there were people in government who served syndicates instead of the taxpayers.

"If you are compromised as a leader by a syndicate, then you are controlled by them," he said.

The Reverend said these syndicates have people at the borders as well.

When cars are stolen in the country they easily make their way to other countries for sale, he said.

He said that in 1990 slain mining magnate Brett Kebble "bought a relationship with the ANC" through disgraced former top cop Jackie Selebi by donating money. He said that syndicates decided who was jailed, while others entered into plea bargains with the state.

"In the Kebble matter, murderers gave up their bosses who in turn gave up Glenn Agliotti who in turn gave up Selebi who is in jail now," he said.

"There must be no person who commits crime and does not go to jail because he is connected."

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Sun May 19 19:00:50 SAST 2013 ::

May 10, 2012

Reyataz

Oh really? And this only happened after Mbeki, right? I mean, during Mbeki there was no crime, no HIV, no unemployment, no poaching, not illegal immigration- SA was just paradise and the likes of Selebi and Mdluli just suddenly came out of the woodwork! Unbelievable!
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May 10, 2012

RobinH

Reyataz: Red Herring! It's irrelevant when the rot started. With respect rotten polticians have been around since the beginning of man's organisation into social groups. The real issue is the fact that it has become rampant and downright blatant in South Africa. Surely this is obvious, even to a half-dead flea.
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May 10, 2012

mambaaai

The ANC needs to go out for a political season, just as the seasons keep the land healthy, when the old leaves and dead wood fall to the ground, and decompose to make compost for the new summer... when there is permanent summer its a desert and a permanent winter is at the poles....
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May 10, 2012

MommaC

So who are these syndicates and which politicians do they have in their pockets? Come on, man. Spill already.
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May 10, 2012

RobinH

MommaC I guess libel laws are about the only ones our ridiculous NPA are still applying.
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May 10, 2012

MommaC

RobinH

Well the NPA are a bunch of muttkins anyhow. Wouldn't surprise me to find out that they are the primary ones in the 'syndicate' pockets
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May 10, 2012

Reyataz

RobinH, sure. Just that I find it utterly ridiculous that those who never lifted a finger on this when they were in power and just enjoyed abusing our taxes only start talking about them after being defenestrated. I wanna hear these ANC "leaders" say these things while in office and take ruthless action! Do you get it now?
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May 10, 2012

Pointman

We have good infrastructure and entertainment here to live the good life, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who can be bought - so we do make a good hiding place. But the reverend should be brave enough to mention names - and continue to attack the ANC.
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May 10, 2012

Sinudeity

Thanks dude, we already know the ANC is a m@fia org@nisation. They spy on our 3mails, $ms's and phon3calls, without w@rrants. They st3al military r1fles from a s@fe, then use the same guuns to st3al incriminating evidence. The ANC must d1e.
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May 10, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

Ntate Morutiii what is your angle exactly are you trying to push for a leadership change... or your trying to stumulatee sales for yeh book. Most of the things you talk about we know them and yesss ofcourse we read about them everyday I'm asking myself why were you not runningg your mouth about these things when you has nothing to sell or launch?We due respect it so unfortunate but this Rev. is an opportunist and a good sales person...
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