ANC must put interest of SA first
The findings of the panel investigating whether President Cyril Ramaphosa has a case to answer in regards to the theft of foreign currency at his game farm go beyond what is on paper. They underscore a fundamental principle that has become eroded with the passage of time: nobody is above the law.
There is a deepening view in SA that the elites are free to do as they please and the laws do not apply to them. Incidents such as seeing former president Jacob Zuma being released from prison on flimsy grounds and against expert medical opinion or of cabinet ministers being allowed to not pay for rates and services, have all worked to develop the idea that those with power and influence are not to be affected by the everyday realities all of us must face.
Former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo’s panel has therefore done more than what they were asked to do without overstepping their boundaries. This moment may very well be critical when the history of how the defence of SA as a law-based society was waged and won. The story does not however end there. It is now for the ANC decision-makers to display in no uncertain terms that they understand and respect the rule of law.
Recent populist statements by some of its leaders in the wake of the Constitutional Court finding there were no reasonable grounds to deny Janusz Waluś parole have been unfortunate, to say the least.
At the time it was not clear what Ramaphosa would do next. One of the options available to him after scathing findings by the panel is that he might resign from his position as head of government. If he stays on, we expect him to demonstrate in word and deed his respect for lawful processes.
Given the ANC’s fractious nature, it is a given there would be those salivating and gleefully rubbing hands in anticipation at the prospect of Ramaphosa’s tenure coming to an abrupt end. It is important too that regardless of whatever decision Ramaphosa makes or is made on his behalf, the stability of the republic should not be compromised. ANC leadership, particularly the dominant groups in the party, should appreciate this is not the moment to settle scores at the cost of the country’s stability.