EFF statement on the ANC decision to vote against a motion to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate corruption at Eskom
23 March 2023
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns the ANC's decision to vote in the National Assembly against a draft resolution to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate corruption at Eskom. The ANC's decision to vote against the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee is senseless, nonsensical, and undermines the Constitution.
The ANC's decision goes against the Constitution and is a clear indication of the degeneration of the ANC under the leadership of corrupt and illegitimate President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has no respect for the rule of law. South Africans have been plunged into avoidable electricity blackouts because of industrial-scale looting at Eskom, among other reasons. Detailed reports of unabated corruption have been received, undermining the institution's ability to deliver dependable and affordable electricity.
The EFF believes that the ANC's decision to vote against the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee is particularly disheartening given the level of corruption and mismanagement that has been plaguing Eskom for years. It is unacceptable that the ANC is allowing its own internal factional battles to override the needs and concems of the South African people. This decision shows that the longer the ANC remains in office, South Africa will degenerate into lawlessness that is not accountable to anyone.
Moreover, the ANC's decision undermines the critical role of Parliament in holding the executive to account. The establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee would have provided a platform for transparency, accountability, and the restoration of public trust in the ability of Parliament to hold the executive accountable in the era of continued corruption. The EFF believes that the ANC's decision has eroded public confidence in Parliament's ability to effectively exercise its oversight role and ensure that public resources are not wasted through corruption and mismanagement.
Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly promised to tackle corruption since taking office in 2018. He even claimed that he would prioritize cleaning up state-owned entities such as Eskom, which have been plagued by corruption and mismanagement.
It is worth noting that the corruption at Eskom is not a new phenomenon, and the ANC's own investment arm, Chancellor House, has been implicated in the corruption scandal. In 2007, Chancellor House acquired a 25% stake in Hitachi Power Africa, a company that was awarded a contract to supply Eskom with boilers worth R38 billion. The contract was marred by allegations of corruption, with Hitachi allegedly paying bribes to secure the contract.
The ANC's involvement in the scandal and many other allegations against its leaders, including members of Cabinet, demonstrate that South Africa is govemed by criminals with no regard for the law. The EFF believes that this is yet another example of the ANC's degeneration under the leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa and remain resolute that the constitutional delinquent must resign with immediate effect.
Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 24 March 2023
