We need an agency better than Hawks or Scorpions

Professor Ziyad Motala, “The blame for the trauma of state capture doesn’t lie only with the Zuma presidency” (May 6) is right to demand that “every instance of malfeasance . . . needs to be investigated”. The question is, by whom? Motala was critical of the court findings that the Hawks were not an adequate replacement for the Scorpions, but the Hawks have never lived up to the standards set by their disbanded predecessors, the Scorpions.

Most Scorpions worth their salt either moved to the private sector or took early retirement. The Hawks are not equal to the task set by the professor in his commentary. The only hope is that the Ramaphosa administration will now implement the court findings that the professor misguidedly criticised and establish specialised, well-trained, properly resourced and independent corruption busters who enjoy better security of tenure of office than either the Scorpions or the Hawks. Only then will “every instance of malfeasance” be properly investigated.

Paul Hoffman, Accountability Now

ANC stuck in Zuma syndrome

The inability of the ANC, despite new stewardship, to nip trouble in the bud shows a party stuck in the Zuma syndrome of governance. Two events — the latest bailout request by SAA and the Mahikeng showdown, where a leader who has brought his municipality to the brink of disaster is still allowed to be in office — prove that a change in leadership does not equate to a change in the ANC mindset.

Damage to property in Supra Mahumapelo’s troubled province has not had much mention by the ruling party, but the mayhem at Moses Mabhida Stadium elicited a quick response. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reign, now approaching the crucial 100-day yardstick, shows that no matter who rules, the spectre of ill governance, poor fiscal management and redeploying errant cadres will continue. AR Modak, Robertsham

Warning to all hooligans

The sentence given to Andile Lungisa must be a lesson to violent protesters, soccer hooligans and likes of Mduduzi Manana. It is a reminder that even ANC deployees must behave in a nonviolent way.

Siyanda Mhlongo, KwaDukuza

Failing our pupils

The article “White flight ‘over fear and mother tongue’ ” (May 6) was oversimplified. Since coming to power in 1994 the ANC government has done little to upgrade schools in the townships to the standards enjoyed by those in white suburbs. Not only have successive ministers failed to improve standards, but the government has been incompetent in ensuring that all schools receive textbooks before the year starts. In addition, the South African Democratic Teachers Union’s influence on the Department of Basic Education has resulted in many schools being stuck with underqualified teachers.

When the ANC came to power in 1994, one of its first acts was to close teacher training colleges, which had ensured a continuous supply of qualified and dedicated teachers for generations. This has forced township residents to look further afield for quality education. Model C schools were an obvious solution, so now tens of thousands of township children have to commute long distances. Mitch Launspach, Noordheuwel

De Lille just a small fish

Your one-sided reporting of the De LilleDA saga, “You strike a rock” (May 6), feels like I’m reading the Cape Times and Iqbal Survé. De Lille is presented as the “elected mayor” of Cape Town, the heroic leader who drove, or dragged, the DA to victory in the city. Of course that narrative is false. The fact is that her Independent Democrats were tiny and De Lille was appointed mayor by the DA and the evil colonialist Helen Zille after the ID had been absorbed into the DA. It is ironic that your writer’s glowing tribute to De Lille was followed by an article on narcissism. Your reporting on this saga, and your columnist Hogarth’s constant sniping at the DA and its leader, Mmusi Maimane, is just plain nasty. Are newspapers not supposed present a story from both sides? Jonathan Shubitz, Cape Town

Mine safety being neglected

It’s so disturbing to hear about the tragic accidents in our mining industry. I mention especially Sibanye-Stillwater. We lose breadwinners and loved ones every time there is an accident. The directors of mines and the government always promise the families of the deceased that they will set up commissions of inquiry, with no fruitful results. There are no steps taken against the mining company by government officials. It is intolerable for miners to lose their lives due to negligence with no one taking responsibility. The government should set a high standard for safety in our mining industry. Our mining companies are slowly becoming zama zamas where the owners think about profit first and safety later. What are the National Union of Mineworkers and Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union doing to stop these recurring senseless accidents? It’s high time for them to get together to speak with one voice to stamp their authority on these vulture capitalists.

Mzwandile Pepe Nkomombini

Strike, but buses still run

A family member experienced a bus drivers’ strike in Japan recently. The drivers reported for duty, picked up and dropped off commuters on time and kept the economy going. The only difference: they did not charge the passengers. Guess what? The targeted company soon relented.

Theo Roelofsz, Marble Hall

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