Daily Dispatch
Justice must take its course
THIS year has been one the majority of South Africans would look back with much disdain, disappointment and frustration. It was a year that saw corruption take centre stage in both the economic and political spheres, with the head of state and his cronies central figures in a country on the decline.
Hardly a day passed without us hearing of yet another scandal, with billions siphoned from our fiscus through malfeasance of government officials who had forgotten their oath of office to uphold the constitution.
These officials are intelligent enough to know that South Africans are not easily fooled by their shenanigans as clearly shown at numerous commissions – and parliamentary hearings – set up to hold them to account for their misdeeds.
Eskom, one of so many state-owned enterprises, comes to mind.
Yet these office-bearers were foolish enough to be influenced by promises of top government posts by an Indian family whose only modus operandi is to enrich themselves.
They were outed by the more intelligent former public protector Thuli Madonsela, who found President Jacob Zuma the central figure in her state capture report.
The chickens are now coming back to roost and inevitably with Cyril Ramaphosa at the helm as new ANC president, those found guilty will pay for their “sins”. It is shameful that we have come to this. Yet those eating from the trough of state resources don’t get it – or really just don’t care: We are a country in the midst of extreme poverty.
Early this year, data by Stats SA revealed that poverty was on the rise in the country. In its “Poverty Trends in South Africa” report, Stats SA show there was a general decline in poverty between 2006 and 2011. More than half of South Africans were poor in 2015, with the poverty headcount increasing to 55.5% from a low of 53.2% in 2011. This translates into over 30.4 million South Africans in poverty in 2015.
With so many downgrades by numerous rating agencies, we will have to work extremely hard to recover from an economy struggling for some oxygen. There may be hope – if only the new guard get their ducks in a row and realise that this country cannot afford any more maladministration and financial skullduggery.
The jury is still out whether changes in the ruling party will bring any improvements in the lives of the millions who are suffering in this country. The days of politicking and procrastination are over.
That is the message that comes out strongly from the ANC stalwarts who, fearing a terrible backlash in 2019, demand the new leadership should do the right thing and govern with honesty and integrity.
They feel it is “a breath of fresh air that we as a nation will gladly breath” with Ramaphosa in charge.
They demand justice must be seen to take its course‚ objectively without fear or favour. As we head into the new year that is all we can hope for. Fail and the ruling intelligentsia can blame no one but themselves.