Corruption will be dealt with under Ramaphosa, Hanekom tells Zuma

In yet another public reproach between ANC cadres, Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom has told former president Jacob Zuma that under President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC is “very serious” about dealing with corruption.

Hanekom was responding to Zuma’s public support for eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede.

He took to social media on Sunday and said he hoped the charges against the mayor were not politically motivated, like his, and vowed to support her like she did in the past decade.

He wrote: “I have sadly learned that Comrade Zandile Gumede has been charged with corruption. I hope it is not politically motivated and that the state has enough evidence to substantiate this charge. I speak from experience from my own politically motivated charges.

READ MORE: Zuma ‘sad’ that Durban mayor Zandile Gumede charged with corruption

“I shall show Comrade Zandile Gumede the same support that she has shown me for the past decade. Be strong my Leader, this too shall pass.”

Gumede is facing fraud and racketeering charges and is in the dock with co-accused ANC councillor Mondli Mthembu and businessman Craig Poonan.

They have been charged in connection with tender fraud for a 2016 Durban Solid Waste (DSW) contract for which the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – better known as the Hawks – says no work was done. The tender was for R208 million. She handed herself over to the Hawks on Tuesday morning last week and was granted R50,000 bail.

Responding to the former president, Hanekom said he hoped that Zuma was not suggesting that Gumede’s charges were politically motivated, adding that no one would get away with corruption under Ramaphosa’s leadership.

“I hope the former President is not suggesting that this may be politically motivated. Under the leadership of @CyrilRamaphosa we are serious about dealing with corruption. Very serious.”

Addressing thousands of supporters at the ANC’s final May 8 elections rally at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg earlier this month, Ramaphosa said those responsible for state capture and corruption would be held accountable.

“Let us declare, here and now, that we will never surrender our freedom to corruption and state capture. We will not submit and we will not retreat. We will fight with every means at our disposal to ensure that those who occupy positions of authority serve only the public interest,” said Ramaphosa.

The president said over the past year, the ANC had taken steps to fight corruption across society.

“We are restoring the rule of law,” he said.

The South African Police Service (Saps) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) would be strengthened and their independence would be assured so that they could act against those who were corrupt without fear or favour.

“The Zondo Commission [of inquiry into state capture] is uncovering the nature and extent of state capture. We have done much to restore the credibility and effectiveness of the NPA, SARS [South African Revenue Service], SAPS, and the State Security Agency.  But the road ahead is long, and there is still much more to do,” Ramaphosa said.

“Resistance” was expected from those who had benefited from wrongdoing, he added.

“We are determined that those found guilty of corruption or involvement in state capture will not be allowed to occupy positions of responsibility, either in the ANC, in parliament, or in government,” Ramaphosa said.

(Additional reporting by ANA)

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