Response to Mmusi Maimane on Accountability Deficit
It is good to read Mmusi Maimane’s article, “Our accountability deficit” (Politicsweb, 27 July 2018). He raises a crucial issue. South Africa is suffering from a huge accountability deficit.
How to approach this issue is the problem, however.
Accountability of politicians is a reflection of how empowered the voters are. It is a reflection of the consciousness of the voters, and should rightfully be demanded by the voters. The question is, do voters actually have the power in law to make politicians accountable to themselves, or do they lack that power.
It is true that ANC politicians fall far below acceptable standards of accountability.
For Qedani Mahlangu, former MEC for Health in Gauteng who presided over the deaths of 144 Life Esidimeni mental patients, to have been re-elected by Gauteng ANC branches onto the Provincial Executive Committee is a disgrace for us ANC members.