Ramaphosa and the ANC have failed South Africa

SADLY, President Cyril Ramaphosa is accused of many serious charges, but he doesn’t want to talk or answer any questions about the issue, even before Parliament, the highest authority in the political system of any country.

He said at the last National Assembly that his lawyers advised him not to answer questions on the matter because some law-enforcement agencies were investigating.

The president is setting a terrible example for all officials who might be required to appear before Parliament to answer questions. They can all refuse to talk, upon legal advice from their lawyers. The president’s refusal to respond to questions from the opposition MPs undermines the constitutional obligation of Parliament and the representatives of the people to hold all government executives accountable. It also defeats the purpose of having a Parliament.

Equally disappointing was the attitude of the speaker of the National Assembly, supported by the ANC MPs, in defending the president, trying to silence the opposition MPs, and forcefully removing some of them from the session. What happened was a repeat of the old scenario we used to watch during president Jacob Zuma’s era. It is evident that the ANC will never change.

The discourse of the president about reforming and transforming the ANC is a hoax, as the president will always be heavily indebted to the ANC, not South Africa, for protecting him. He will never be able to address the serious problems created by the ANC, such as corruption, mismanagement and abuse of power.

He will keep relying on men loyal to him despite their inefficiency and failure to address the problems of the country.

Finally, the big lesson we have learnt from what happened recently at Parliament is that real change and reform are in the hands of, and can come only from, the people if they have the will. Let us hope that this will take place in the 2024 elections.

DR MAHMOUD YOUSSEF BAKER | Musgrave