Photo: GCIS
Photo: GCIS
You have to hand it to the ANC, they absolutely love a bit of dark humour – unwitting or otherwise. According to reports from City Press on Sunday morning, the party is stepping up its efforts to drive corruption out of its structures, and a ‘new system’ puts Ace Magashule in another position of power.
It’s understood that the ANC Secretary-General would be trusted to review all individual reports of corruption against party members. As proposed during the last NEC, legal experts would also offer their guidance. But this could prove to be particularly problematic, given that Ace Magashule has his own checkered history with dubious deals – in fact, he’s not completely in the clear with this COVID-19 PPE scandal.
Ace Magashule to have the ‘final say’ on ANC corruption
The political stalwart has seen his sons secure million-rand deals to supply PPE to the government during the pandemic, fuelling accusations of nepotism and corruption against one of the most powerful men in the country. When you consider how the ANC’s new anti-corruption reporting system would work, it’s easy to see what the major issue is:
- All provincial branches will be asked to draw up lists of every person accused of – or facing charges of – corruption.
- The lists must then be audited, detail all other criminal allegations, and explain what course of action – if any – has been taken against the accused members.
- The names and cases will then be reviewed by Ace Magashule, who will have the final say on matters going forward.
A flawed system?
Earlier this year, Ace Magashule was reported to Hawks over a R200m contract he was linked to during his time as Free State Premier. Just a few days ago, an insider named him as a ‘protector’ for disgraced ex-eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede, who found herself back in the KZN Legislature this week.
This all begs the question: How would one go about reporting Ace Magashule for corruption? You could put a list together, like we have here, and submit it for review – only for the Sec-Gen to have the final say on his own case. The ANC may see this move as progress, but as ever, there are obvious flaws to contend with.
