The world and future generations in South Africa will judge the present day government very harshly when they will come to realize that President Zuma has not lived up to expectations.

The dominance of the ANC, in spite of the oft repeated words by Zuma that they will rule until Jesus comes again, will like all others before it come to pass. Such fall will in most probability be occasioned by the ANC itself.

It boggles the mind that a party in government can be found to have attempted to siphon R144 million from a government they are in charge of. Senior leaders of the ruling party are among the 23 people who have to answer for this or that in court in KwaZulu Natal.

It is also strange why and how the ANC can sit with a clear conscience when they have not yet paid the University of Limpopo R6 million owed since 2007 when they held the congress that brought the current regime into power. It is the same government that feebly tries to say accounts should be paid within 30 days of delivering service. It is real do as I say not as I do. One wonders whether it was really necessary that the university should have drawn the ANC to court before they can be caused to pay.

The issue of the arms debacle will hang around the neck of the ANC to perpetuity. The continuous moving of the goal posts does not serve any purpose. That at one stage the investigation into the transaction is called of and at next it is feebly resuscitated will keep gnawing the conscience of those involved while the average South African will be at ease.

The less it is spoken about ethical conduct in the ANC the better. One would expect that on ethical grounds those MEC’s and highly placed leaders should voluntarily stand down until investigations are completed. They should step down not because they are guilty but because their continued retention of power conflicts them.

Rank and file officials in government departments are relieved of their duties, “so that they should not interfere with investigations”, it is always said, but those holding reins go to court then to office then on public platforms to address us on how we should not be corrupt while they are defending themselves against corruption charges.

In democracies where ethics and values count, politicians resign voluntarily when implicated in cases.

The best reminder is that of the blind British Minister, David Blunkett. In 2004, on getting information that his staff, while he was minister of Home Affairs, had issued a work permit to an employee of his lover under questionable circumstances, he resigned. But because he was a “good” politician he was re-elected in the 2005 general election though he had to resign again because of being conflicted by the type of work he did after his first resignation.

We hope that the contingent of the Hawks sent overseas to follow on information by the Swedish government that the manufacturers of the Gripen planes, SAAB had made a clean breast that their British partner had in effect paid a R24 million bribe to some South Africans will not be just one of those vacations by these officials. Let us see people charged and tried; if they succeed to clear their names so be it.

It can only happen in South Africa where the wife of a minister is found guilty of dealing in drugs and the minister remains on the job. It is more peculiar when the same minister is in charge of State Security. One would expect that those close to members of the executive should go through vetting without any difficulty.

It can only happen in South Africa where a minister of state can visit a irl friend imprisoned overseas on grounds of being a drug carrier and nothing happens to such minister.

The argument of all being innocent until proven guilty is being carried too far; in fact it is being abused. One’s conscience and status have to say to the individual that all is not well.

People are wont to criticize the past government. Abe Williams resigned from president Mandela’s cabinet on being investigated.

Let us hope our new leaders will learn that once there is doubt over an individual, the honourable thing is to leave. If you are innocent after the due process surely you may be reconsidered.

Sipho Mfundisi
Deputy President: UCDP