Duarte says stop finger-pointing
ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte has slammed criminal accusations levelled against party leaders, saying these were akin to guilty findings outside a court process.
This comes as fresh corruption allegations have emerged against ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule relating to his stint as Free State premier where his family members and close allies scored lucrative contracts from the provincial government.
Addressing the media on the outcomes of the two-day Alliance Political Council which started on Sunday, attended by the SACP, Cosatu and SA National Civic Organisation leaders, Duarte said there was agreement to back efforts aimed at abating criminality, including corruption and parasitic networks – which were blamed for aiding the looting of the state through state capture.
However, she spoke out against criminal accusations against leaders before they were found guilty in the courts.
“Let us allow the law to identify criminality. Allow the law to charge people appropriately. Allow the courts to be independent and to make the right decisions at the end of the process.
“If we continue with a process of already finding people guilty – because that is the choice we are making – then we are not allowing the law to make that choice. People have a right to defend themselves and they have a right to be heard in defending themselves,” said Duarte.
Yesterday, the Daily Maverick reported that Magashule’s brother, Ezekiel Magashule, his daughter, Thoko Malembe, and his successor and deputy president of the ANC Women’s League Sisi Ntombela’s sons were among a politically connected group of beneficiaries of contracts from the Free State government.
The group reportedly received contracts for roads maintenance, grass cutting and other services from the provincial police, roads and transport department – including bakkies, trailers and related equipment from the provincial government.
Sanco general secretary Skhumbuzo Mpanza echoed Duarte’s words.
“I think as South Africans we must respect that principle and respect as well all the legal processes and not jump to conclusions and subject leaders to kangaroo courts and media courts as sometimes is the case.”
Outspoken SACP deputy general-secretary Solly Mapaila said while the party was opposed to a witch-hunt against individuals, the rule of law had to be used to bring to book all those who were implicated in criminality.
“Action must be taken against wrongdoing, against corruption, to dismantle all the networks that have inhibited the capacity of our state and state-owned enterprises from functioning optimally for the development of our country,” Mapaila said.