ANC puts focus on fighting corruption
THE ANC has put the fight against corruption at the centre of its manifesto as it goes into campaign-mode before May’s general elections.
In its manifesto, launched in Durban on Saturday, the party said corruption had negative consequences for the economy and society.
“Ethical and moral leadership in the private and public sector will be critical if our collective fight against corruption is to succeed,” reads the manifesto.
The ANC said it was committed to cracking down on corruption and state capture.
“We will comprehensively fight corruption, combining both prevention and punishment.”
The party also said it would actively promote the culture of integrity throughout the state, society and within itself.
“We will ensure that leaders and members of the ANC and broader movement and those entrusted with public responsibilities are uncorrupted, honest and self-disciplined with clear values who can resist moral pressures.
“We will not tolerate practices that harm the public interest.”
The ANC, under President Cyril Ramaphosa, has set up various commissions and instituted investigations over the past year.
The party also committed to strengthening law-enforcement agencies, oversight in Parliament and legislatures and helping municipalities improve financial management, service provision and infrastructure development and maintenance.
The ANC said it would strengthen the criminal justice system to recover stolen public money, speed up the implementation of lifestyle audits and strengthen legislation barring civil servants from doing business with the state.
While delivering the January 8 statement, Ramaphosa said the ANC would intensify its fight against corruption in the government, in the ANC and across society.
“Members of the ANC, working with communities and various sectors of society, should expose corruption and state capture, understanding that our efforts will be met with resistance by those who are the beneficiaries of these practices,” Ramaphosa said.
He added that they would also expose corruption in the private sector.
“There should be nowhere to hide for those who steal from our people; no matter who they are or what positions they occupy,” he said.
On public institutions, the governing party said it would continue implementing measures to safeguard the independence of the judiciary.
Institutions supporting democracy would be supported and provided with resources.
There would be a strengthening of intervention in the governance of state-owned entities and security agencies.
Ramaphosa noted that some civil servants’ indifference to the needs of citizens had led to a deterioration in the quality of services rendered.
“Civil servants must serve the people of our country with commitment, diligence, humility, respect and honesty, and make sure that they are effective agents of transformation.”