ANC still not trusted by those committed to building a prosperous country

It would be foolish to suppose that the outcomes of the debate and voting in the National Assembly on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impeachment scheduled for 13 December will solve this country’s socio-political problems. The problems are too huge.

There is a debilitating battle going on for the soul of the ANC through the impeachment process just days before the party’s 55th national conference.

Crisis

All while the challenges remain. How can we entrench the constitutionally democratic principles of good governance and accountability in the face of deep-rooted corruption and factionalism?

How do we accomplish this in the face of deepening poverty and high unemployment?

Nevertheless, what will happen in parliament will remain a helpful but modest step for the country’s self-correction and for the ANC‘s relations with all of us.

Parliamentarians will decide to adopt or reject the recommendations by the Section 89 panel.

The panel found Ramaphosa may have committed serious violations of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act and the constitution “by exposing himself to a conflict between his official responsibilities and his private business”.

NOW READ: Independent panel finds Ramaphosa has a case to answer on Phala Phala

Ramaphosa’s ANC disagrees and challenges the findings on several fronts. The debate should not only involve parliamentarians but should advance a national dialogue, including community voices.

The pressing issue is upholding the rule of law and the constitutional principles of “a multiparty system of democratic government, to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness”.

It is about demonstrating that politically connected elites are not above the law. Parliament must ensure that corrupt politicians pay for their crimes.

Restore confidence

The first long-term aim must ensure this debate and decision to restore confidence in government cascades down to communities. That requires respect for different party approaches, a willingness by participants not to grandstand for their membership and an acceptance that parliament is not an anteroom for leadership contests.

What must end now is the opposition parties’ treatment of the unfolding impeachment process, the broad anti-corruption efforts and the transformation agenda driven by ordinary South Africans, as political opportunities to stall and reverse the socioeconomic progress made under ANC rule.

The repetitive undermining of affirmative action and transformation policies by some opposition parties – and the people’s scepticism towards these parties – shows how much is at stake in our polarised society.

ANC not trusted

With Ramaphosa’s attitude of putting party interests above the nation, the ANC is still not trusted by many who are committed to building a prosperous country. If ANC leaders seriously want better relationships with South Africans, as they should, they must work at it.

Ramaphosa is right to go to the Constitutional Court to challenge the panel’s report. It signals confidence in the judiciary and those affected will respect the decision either way.

Parliament has witnessed pivotal nation-building events in history before. Perhaps – just perhaps – this 13 December debate may be the start of another.

NOW READ: Voting on Section 89 report postponed to next week

-Nyembezi is a researcher, policy analyst and human rights activist