ANC lists: Zuma's ANC is not serious about fighting corruption
President Zuma's ANC has today demonstrated - once and for all - that it is not serious about fighting corruption.
The ANC's lists for the National Assembly includes candidates who should rather be in court and/or are grossly unsuitable for public office. These include:
1. Dina Pule - the former Minister of Communications has been implicated in the Public Protector's report into irregularities at the ICT Indaba and found to have been guilty of "unlawful, unethical and improper conduct". Ms Pule has already been found guilty by the multiparty Parliamentary Ethics and Members' Interests Committee of violating the Executive Members' Ethics Code.
2. Tina Joemat-Pettersson - The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister has been implicated in the unlawful awarding of the R800 million vessel contract to Sekunjalo, the politically motivated distribution of food parcels during worker strikes, to the tune of R10 million and the unauthorised funding of the Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry (BAWSI), which received R4 million. BAWSI was allegedly responsible for fuelling the violent farm worker strikes last year.
3. Pule Mabe - Last year the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member, was arrested and appeared in court, on charges ranging from theft to fraud and money laundering for soliciting funds from the South African Social Security Agency, which were then given to companies owned by Mabe and various business associates.
4. Cassel Mathale - While Premier, five key provincial departments had to be placed under national administration, Limpopo experienced some of the worst textbook scandals in the history of the country and in 2011 the Province had to apply for an early bailout from National Treasury worth R700 million
5. Bathabile Dlamini - Pleaded guilty to one count of fraud (R254,000 service benefits/mileage claims) and was sentenced to a fine of R120,000 or five years' imprisonment and a further five years suspended conditionally for five years.
6. Beauty Dlulane - Pleaded guilty to one count of fraud (R289,000 service benefits/mileage claims) and was sentenced to a fine of R120,000 or five years' imprisonment and a further five years suspended conditionally for five years.
7. Mnyamezeli Booi - Pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud. Fined R50,000 or five years' jail and given until January 2014 to pay the money in monthly instalments of R1,000.
8. Ruth Bhengu - The Transport Committee Chairperson pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud (R43,000). Fined R45,000 or two years' imprisonment and given a three-year suspended sentence.
9. Humphrey Mmemezi - The former Gauteng MEC was used his state-issued credit card to go on a R60 000 shopping spree in India and buy a R10 000 painting from McDonalds.
It is of concern that the ANC has yet to publish their regional and provincial lists. The full list of ANC candidates for Parliament can only be assessed once these lists are published. Already there is speculation, for example, that the controversial former National Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele, and John Block, who faces fraud and corruption charges, are on these lists.
The DA went through a rigorous process over the last few months in selecting the best candidates to elect to the National Assembly and provincial legislatures. We did so because we believe South Africa only deserves the best, and because we are committed to electing a team of MPs that will continue to ensure the government is held to account on corruption and the high unemployment rate.
This no doubt explains the decision by Beverly Abrahams to stand on the ANC lists for Parliament. Indeed, it has been spurred on by her being placed on an unelectable position on our own lists. We never compromise on the standards of our candidates to the National Assembly - we select only the best, because we want to deliver on our election promises to all South Africans. If those who are unhappy with their poor performance wish to leave the party as a result, they should do so.
While South Africans will be concerned by the ANC list, I am confident that they are not surprised. The reality is that the ANC cannot commit to the fight against corruption when their very own leader, and number one on the list, President Jacob Zuma, does everything possible to delay the release of the Spy Tapes in order to avoid having to answer for over 700 charges of corruption in a court of law. Moreover, the ANC does nothing to hold its president to account for the spending of over R200 million of public money on his private residence in Nkandla.
South Africans have an opportunity to respond on 7 May 2014 and tell President Zuma and his ANC that this isn't good enough.
Statement issued by James Selfe MP, Chairperson of the DA Federal Executive, March 11 2014
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