Reason for future hope
CYRIL Ramaphosa won the ANC presidency on an anti-corruption ticket, and recent moves by the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA’s) asset forfeiture unit give us reason to hope that perhaps the tide of rampant looting is finally turning.
The unit announced last week that it had secured preservation orders for R1.6 billion worth of assets belonging to companies linked to the Gupta family, and to consultancy firm McKinsey. We also hear the unit seized a farm in the Free State which, it appears, was used in a blatant, cynical heist of public funds in a scheme of epic proportions.
Further, Ramaphosa has moved to rectify matters at Eskom, which must come up with R20bn by March 31 to avoid defaulting on debt – money it does not have – by appointing a new board. The new leaders have been mandated to immediately remove all Eskom officials facing allegations of serious corruption and other impropriety. These would include people such as former acting chief executive Matshela Koko. Eskom chief financial officer Anoj Singh saw the writing on the wall and has resigned.
These are all positive signs, but let us see how Ramaphosa’s resolve will fare now that it has been reported that members of the cabinet (Mosebenzi Zwane) and the new ANC leadership (Ace Magashule) could be implicated in the Free State matter.
Magashule is the new ANC secretary-general in a divided ANC “Top Six”, and the party’s national executive committee is also not fully behind Ramaphosa. It therefore remains to be seen if the new ANC president will be bold enough to stick to his anti-corruption guns and move against one of the party’s most senior leaders.
RAMAPHOSA’S comments that he did not want to see Jacob Zuma embarrassed also gives us pause for thought: will he let the NPA dogs free to pursue the myriad charges waiting to be proffered against the president?
It was heartening to read that more than 200 senior Eskom managers had written to Ramaphosa, expressing concern over the lack of “decisive and bold actions” against allegations of fraud, corruption and maladministration.
This is hopefully an indication that there is still a core of conscience-driven officials who, working with the new board, will be able to save the power utility from further ruin. Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba has promised he and Ramaphosa would speak to these officials after the two returned from Davos, where they are at the World Economic Forum.
We applaud the efforts of the asset forfeiture unit, which appears to be receiving NPA head Shaun Abrahams’ full co-operation. A concerted effort by the unit, together with speedy court processes, could wipe off some of the R51bn shortfall in tax revenue from last year.