Chaos clearly seen

ROELF Meyer was recently interviewed by journalist Chris Barron on whether South Africa was approaching failedstate status; alternatively, whether South Africa was a dysfunctional state. He does not believe so, basing his principal premise on the fact that the branches of government continue to operate, but imperfectly.

Despite signs to the contrary, one cannot at this time rebut Meyer’s take on the failed-state issue. But on the dysfunctional one, he is either in denial, or refuses to acknowledge the definition of “dysfunctional” within a functioning Western democratic constitutional framework, in contrast to governmentsponsored attacks to erode South Africa’s fledgling constitutional structure.

Being one of the architects of the constitution, and now witnessing the ruination of Meyer’s singular labour of love, it can only be denial and a refusal to recognise unfolding dysfunctional developments. Such are capable of metastasising the letter and spirit of the constitution into a begone fantasy.

Although multiple examples exist, a few will suffice: two of the branches of government are broken; the legislature has ceased to do the people’s business in any meaningful sense. The tyranny of the majority ruling party in Parliament is pervasive with a focus on protecting the executive branch at all costs.

The executive, in turn, has finally shown its true colours by defying judicial branch rulings, and with impunity, public protector recommendations. The rule of law is to the executive, at best, a serious inconvenience, and at worst, a barricade to unbridled power. In both, the agenda of the executive, supported by Parliament, is to undermine the judiciary and ultimately emasculate it, as was the case during apartheid.

In light of Meyer’s intimate and invaluable involvement in negotiating the end of apartheid and a new constitution for South Africa, it is understandable for him to exude the optimism of a glass half-full. If this is so, the question he should really ask himself is who drank the other half, and who will drink the remains? The question can be answered by removing rose-coloured glasses. Errol Horwitz