Mthombothi is wrong, Ramaphosa is rebuilding our country brick by brick
In his article, “The looted, worthless, scarce buck stops with Cyril Ramaphosa” (Sunday Times, August 16), Barney Mthombothi is simply wrong when he concludes that the “party may have changed leaders, but its mission apparently remains intact: to loot and to steal”.
Mthombothi is entitled to his opinion, but not his own facts. He is entirely wrong, if not downright mischievous, in many of the wild barbs he throws at the president. He charges the president, inter alia, with being “incapable of stopping the feeding frenzy’’, serving under “false pretences’’, and of having “lied his way to power’’. These allegations make for exciting reading, admittedly, but they are not based on fact at all.
There can be no doubt that we have witnessed brazen, wanton and soul-destroying acts of crime and corruption across all layers of society. Thus, the expectation by some for the president to simply circumvent observance and respect for the constitution and the law is misplaced. Any action that does not meet this test will lead to him acting beyond his legal powers. And, as we have seen, the courts will treat any such dalliance harshly, even when he desires to act on the basis of the impatience that currently exists in society.
The constitution commits all of us to the rule of law, to an open, accountable and responsive government, and the president, as the head of government, cannot abuse constitutional and legal norms. He is entirely bound by the rule of law and the constitution, no more and no less.
Publicly available facts confirm that people who loot or steal are increasingly being found all over. They are found in political parties, in the DA, the EFF, the ANC or in any party — more so when it is in power. They are also found in churches and the corporate world — think McKinsey, Deloitte and KPMG.
It would appear that the moral compass of society has lost its bearings. These are some of the bigger ethical questions that need reflection. Quo vadis the social compact? Ditto ubuntu?
Of course, blaming it all on the president is sensational and may sell one or two more Sunday papers. But it does not help. It is better to not tell lies and claim easy victories. Better still, speak truth to power and do not blame the president to sell your Sunday newspapers. Even if you believe you are an opinion-maker, facts matter. Treat the truth as sacrosanct.
What we see happening around us is not a party-political issue. It is a broader ethos that needs addressing.
Yes, Mr Mthombothi, the buck stops with the president, but it is important that we set the context in some detail so as to dispel any confusion or mischief, intended or otherwise.
The president has the powers entrusted to him/her by the constitution and legislation. He cannot act ultra vires — outside those powers imposed on him in terms of the constitution or the four corners of any law. The constitution is the supreme law of the land, therefore no other law or government action can supersede the provisions of the constitution.
The ANC remains fully committed to continue to work with the nation to create jobs, end poverty and build a better life for all. It has renewed its contract and commitment with its people and promised to act with greater determination, underlining the fact that only through working together can we strengthen democracy and ensure that we grow SA.
Despite the merchants of doom and naysayers, there must be no doubt that over the past 26 years the lives of the people have changed for the better. This is affirmed in the researched “25 Year Review” report published last year. Indeed, millions of people — black African, to boot — from rural areas have houses, electricity and access to clean drinking water. Children from poor communities have access to free education. We continue to advance the cause and rights of workers to organise, collectively bargain, refuse dangerous work and strike. A national minimum wage has been in effect since January 2019, improving the lives of more than 6-million workers. The list of positive interventions is long.
Yet, although much has been achieved, we are not at journey’s end. Admittedly, mistakes have been made. We could have moved faster and with greater resolve. The quality of public services could and should have been much better. We accept that in some critical areas progress has stalled.
There is now a concerted push to uproot corruption, delivering renewal and a process of rebuilding that pursues shared prosperity, inclusive growth and an inclusive economy, to build capabilities, enhance the capacity of the state, and promote leadership and partnership throughout society. President Ramaphosa is committed to rebuild and restore public confidence through catalysing development opportunities and removing structural impediments to equality, opportunity and freedom.
While the road map was mapped and outlined in the president’s state of the nation address, an unprecedented threat to our democracy — Covid19 — prevailed and distracted us from the work plan. The president led from the front with extraordinary responses to prevent a sudden uncontrolled surge of infections and prepare our health system for the challenges ahead.
The sixth administration will and is attacking, with gusto and unremitting resolve, the cesspool of corruption that has become the norm in our society. We have seen the establishment of leadership stability in the law enforcement agencies and quick responses against those seeing profit-making opportunities during this pandemic, to bring them to book. We read daily about the actions and interventions of our law enforcement agencies (charges against the accused, arrests, etcetera), and the prosecution of those involved in graft. We are all aware of the several commissions dealing with allegations of wrongdoing and the amendments to laws to enable the fast-tracking of legal processes, including the exploration of how to use digital technology to speed up legal processes and improve efficiencies.
President Ramaphosa has empowered and supports law enforcement agencies to conduct their business uninterrupted and independently, without fear, favour or prejudice. We can therefore not expect him to act unconstitutionally and interfere with the legal process and the judiciary. Let us allow the due process of law to take its course. The political will and support to root out corruption are not in any doubt whatsoever.
Mr Mthombothi, voters are not idiots. They were right in their choices, guaranteed them under our constitution. Since ascending to the presidency, this administration has made fighting corruption one of its priorities. This fact is visible with the work of the Special Investigating Unit, the Special Tribunal, the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority, the auditor-general and the busy schedule of the courts.
To undo years of mayhem, collapse and destruction, reconstituting the state and its institutions will not be about making wishes, doling out invective or setting up false straw men — it is about doing the legwork, fixing these brick by brick, day by day, and it involves all of us.
✼ Mtimde serves as a special adviser to the minister in the presidency. He is also an ANC and SACP member. He writes in his personal capacity