Share

Editorial: Positive steps in graft war

accreditation

The message was very clear and loud once Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his maiden ANC January 8 statement. Those who chose not to hear it conveniently didn’t. But those for whom the message was intended heard the new ANC president and realised that the power now lies within the governing party and no longer with President Jacob Zuma.

It was a message that said the ANC, as the governing party, would up the tempo in fighting corruption in the public and private sectors.

“In the private sector, they decorate it. They call it collusion, financial irregularities and all those things. It’s the same thing; it is corruption and we want that to come to an end as well,” Ramaphosa said.

It was the same message that the republic’s deputy president said he would be taking to the World Economic Forum to sell South Africa as a country that is on the right path.

He has also said the country needed strong and efficient law enforcement agencies in the fight against corruption and crime to restore the integrity and legitimacy of the state.

It was not surprising that, on Monday, the Asset Forfeiture Unit had obtained preservation orders against Gupta-linked companies for assets worth more than R1.6 billion and that arrest warrants could have also been granted.

Not to be left out of the limelight of the seizure orders, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula held his own show and told the nation that the once-untouchable crime intelligence head, Richard Mdluli, had been axed after having been on suspension for what seemed like decades.

Investigations by the Hawks indicate that there is renewed appetite to fight the corruption that has caused the country to be seen as a haven for thugs and hoodlums.

With the South Africa and some state-owned entities already relegated to “junk” status by rating agencies, the only way to pull the country out of this mess is for leaders to stop talking and act on their words. No amount of sloganeering will bring investors back to the country; only meaningful acts of fighting endemic corruption will attract them. An improved economic climate should see an uptick in job creation and help in alleviating poverty.

This week’s steps must soon turn into a gallop.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you believe that the various planned marches against load shedding will prompt government to bring solutions and resolve the power crisis?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes
21% - 103 votes
No
79% - 395 votes
Vote