Cape Town — Leader of opposition party ActionSA, Herman Mashaba, says the ANC lacks the political willpower and ability to address the corruption plaguing the country.
Speaking after the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) showed South Africa declined to a 12-year low, highlighting how South Africa’s anti-corruption efforts have regressed under President Cyril Ramaphosa, ActionSA said in a statement.
Mashaba said only a government outside of the ANC can be the one responsible for turning South Africa’s fortunes around.
“Despite the President and the ruling party’s promises, Ramaphosa has simply failed to act against corruption and has, instead, found himself complicit in corruption through the Phala Phala Dollars found “under his mattress”, allowing for porous borders and bribes at the higher education department,” Mashaba said.
He called out Ramaphosa and his government for spending over R1 billion on the Zondo Commission but, to date, has failed to prosecute State Capture crimes, saying this is the legacy that Ramaphosa should be judged on ahead of the elections.
South Africa’s decline in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index to a 12-year-low highlights how our anti-corruption efforts have regressed under President Cyril Ramaphosa.https://t.co/YiuiPWXWYr
Only a government outside of the ruling party can act against public sector…
— ActionSA (@Action4SA) January 31, 2024
Mashaba said ActionSA is a party that believes in the rule of law and is calling for drastic action to be taken to end corruption and corrupt leaders who are only interested in serving their self-interests, need to be removed.
He said he uncovered R35 billion during his time as the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, leading to over 600 arrests but said the NPA failed to act on it. He also added that greater punishment should be implemented for those found guilty of corruption.
“ActionSA also seeks to increase the minimum sentence for anyone guilty of corruption in transactions exceeding R500 000 to 15 years imprisonment without the possibility of a fine or parole. In government, we would also introduce e-procurement systems that reduce human intervention in procurement decision-making to diminish the possibility of corruption,” Mashaba added.
It is only when we are tough on corruption and our leaders set the example that we will be able to defeat the beast that is corruption in South Africa, which is why South Africans should take action to remove it from power this year and vote for an ActionSA that will be fearless in tackling corruption head-on.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
