ANC not the only ones involved in the struggle for freedom

THE ANC and its affiliates continue to claim that they were the only ones to liberate South Africa. In Pravin Gordhan’s article, “A formidable show of resistance” (August 25), no mention is made of organisations other than the ANC and the United Democratic Front that contributed to the conscientising and mobilisation of the masses.

In the Cape were the Cape Action League, South Peninsula Education Fellowship and New Unity Movement, branches of the Pan Africanist Congress and also the black consciousness movement, which by the 1980s had been active for 10 years.

Many organisations worked for the political and cultural upliftment of the working classes, and a countless number of people’s lives were shattered by their dedication to the struggle. Many organisations joined the UDF unaware that it was a front of the ANC.

The ANC has become like a juggernaut that wants to swallow up everything in its path, never stopping to acknowledge the rest of humanity struggling onwards and upwards. — Irma Liberty, Rondebosch

Smart move by the Treasury

THE appointment of Kenneth Brown as chief procurement officer by the Treasury is of paramount significance in addressing the continual transgressions in — and auditor-general Terence Nombembe’s adverse audit opinions on — procurement and financial management in municipalities and other state organs, “Gordhan’s ‘tender cops’ to clamp down on fraud” (August 25).

These findings by the auditor-general, complemented by the Bheki Cele police lease agreement saga and the latest procurement corruption findings by the public protector’s office, in which the Independent Electoral Commission and its chairwoman, Pansy Tlakula, are implicated in the (flawed) acquisition of the commission’s new headquarters, endorse the need for the Treasury to employ intrepid measures that enforce oversight and eradicate corrupt procurement elements in our public sector. — Courage Rikhotso, Tembisa

Defending the indefensible

CHRIS Barron certainly had ANC parliamentary ethics committee chairman Ben Turok squirming under his relentless interrogation about the Dina Pule affair (So Many Questions, August 25). As expected, however, Turok defended the corruption-riddled ANC to the end.

In particular, he defended its inability to take serious action against those guilty of corruption, arguing that this meant it was showing ubuntu.

What tripe! How long must this nation endure a government that has become little more than a kleptocracy? The 2014 general election is when we, the voters, should say enough is enough and vote the Democratic Alliance into power. — Kin Bentley, Port Elizabeth

Puzzling move on rock lobster

THE decision by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature to downgrade the sustainable status of West Coast rock lobster from green to orange is premature. It is having a negative impact on the local and international market for the species, particularly the small-scale fishermen who, for the first time in history, are about to be legislatively recognised.

Industry and coastal community fishermen feel prejudiced by the WWF’s decision because, prior to this, it and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries had committed to a reduction of about 10% in the catch for next season.

The status of West Coast rock lobster has consistently remained at about 3.5% of pristine for three decades and nothing extreme has occurred recently to threaten its sustainability. The department and industry also committed to a recovery plan developed by South Africa’s leading marine scientists to rebuild the male component of the resource to 35% above its 2006 level by 2021.

The assertion by the WWF’s marine manager, John Duncan, that it is “pushing the minister to not just talk about a recovery plan, but actually implement it” is premature, because the implementation of the recovery plan can commence only in October when the new season begins. Duncan is well aware of this.

There is also no scientific evidence to support his claim that the resource is “sitting at the edge of a cliff” and that people should “think twice” before eating West Coast rock lobsters.

In April, the WWF requested a meeting with the minister to ask her to “reaffirm her commitment to the agreed-upon recovery plan”. On 15 April they met, and afterwards the minister released a statement confirming that the “recovery plan will be enforced until 2021” and that “regulations that will make this decision legally binding are being prepared for gazetting”.

Following this, the WWF confirmed in a statement that it was “encouraged by minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s renewed commitment to the rebuilding strategy for the stock”.

The random decision by the WWF in May to suddenly downgrade West Coast rock lobster and Duncan’s recent comments are astonishing, because this resource continues to be sustainably managed by the department and its scientists in consultation with the fund. As the leading official responsible for fisheries management, I confirm that we remain committed to the continued sustainable utilisation of our national fishing resources.— Desmond Stevens, acting deputy director-general, fisheries branch, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Sisulu sceptics may be right

A MONTH or two ago I heard an interview with Minister of Public Service and Administration Lindiwe Sisulu on SAfm. She spoke about her new anti-corruption drive and how corruption would no longer be tolerated. It sounded very convincing. The phone calls from sceptics came in thick and fast, and I remember her assuring us that this time things would be different. Her closing comment was along the lines of “watch this space”.

In your editorial, “Pule’s ‘apology’ highlights issue of party before country” (August 25), she was named as one of the ministers who comforted Dina Pule. How disappointing. I guess the sceptics were not so stupid after all! — Jackie Schimmel, Bergvliet

Objection by ‘illegal surgeon’

IT is unfortunate that a typographical error by the Health Professions’ Council of South Africa, of which I was informed on August 2 and which was amicably rectified on August 5, led to such slanderous, sweeping statements being published in your newspaper, “Illegal surgeon still operating” (August 11).

I have never practised illegally. My qualifications, including national and international courses in my field of interest, are readily available for scrutiny by the relevant authorities. I remain fully registered and am allowed to practise both nationally and internationally.

Judgments with regard to professionalism, ethics and credibility remain the responsibility of the service recipients, colleagues in the profession and the council.

One’s commitment to patients, the fraternity, medical education and the profession should not be misconstrued as a weakness, but rather as a gain to society as a whole. — Dr R H Bhamani, Centurion

The Sunday Times stands by its story — The Editor

Sad decline of a soccer great

I AM responding to BBK’s column, “Another cautionary tale of a riches-torags great” (August 25), on Phumlani Mkhize. I come from the same town, Estcourt, as Mkhize and I see almost daily what BBK is talking about.

What is happening to Mkhize is very, very sad. I blame it all on alcohol abuse. Many people have tried to help him by giving him a role to assist in the coaching of local soccer teams and schools, only for him to pitch up drunk or not at all.

It is sad to see someone of whom we were once proud turning into a beggar. Let us hope BBK’s column will help him to pick himself up and do something about his life. — TM, Estcourt

Exposing a lying minister

I COMMEND the Sunday Times for exposing the lying, “honourable” Dina Pule. You represent and speak for the voiceless masses. Go out and bring up those 700 charges against “doubleheader”.— Lekau Mooa, Polokwane

Yengeni’s champagne lifestyle

SO Tony Yengeni is back in the news, accused of drunk driving. Can someone please tell me of a single constructive contribution this man has made to life in the new South Africa? According to the Sunday Times, “Yengeni in big trouble this time” (August 18), he seems to be a full-time playboy at the government’s (read taxpayers’) expense with his purchase of expensive cars, cigars and champagne. They are mostly imported, so he appears not to be a “Proudly South African” customer. Where, I wonder, does he get his money, because it clearly is not through working? — Richarm, by e-mail