AfriBusiness: Who really governs South Africa and for what purpose?

22 June 2016

Whether the ANC is truly governing the country to the benefit of all its citizens, or solely for the benefit of the politically connected to stay in power, remains an unanswered question during the last couple of days of violence we have witnessed in Tshwane.

As political extremists and politician loyalists express their anger about the new mayoral candidate of Tshwane Metro in what can only be described as complete anarchy, the majority of South Africans are left with more questions than answers as to why this is being allowed to carry on for so long.

This is the opinion of Armand Greyling, Law and Policy Analyst at AfriBusiness.

What seems certain is that the current supporters of the ANC are not keen on being bullied into accepting a leader of whom they do not approve; and with the coming municipal elections approaching, the ANC has a difficult balancing act to perform. On the one hand the ANC is attempting to please its internal connected elite, whilst on the other hand it must please voters to stay in power.

Rather than being the governing party, the ANC more resembles a club with members where friends are promoted and kept close to ensure welfare and power within the party. Outsiders or individuals who pose a threat to the party’s wealth are “excommunicated” and set aside, to enable a better flow of control and power over weaker members who tag along in the hope of joining the elite crew. This begs the further question: Was the current mayor of Tshwane, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, and his deputy Mapiti Matsena “excommunicated” to make way for a candidate who would make it easier for the ANC’s internal elite to stay in power and keep their wealth? This could very well be the case.

“The chaos we are witnessing must be distressing to the ANC, or at least it should be, especially with voters suggesting that they will vote for opposition parties should the ANC continue on its current path of dictator-decision-making. Regardless of the ANC’s internal struggles, the party should have acted promptly to stop the anarchy we are witnessing. A government in power should not negotiate with criminals, but should act swiftly and with force,” says Greyling.

After the Presidency gave report on the progress of its 9-point plan to stimulate economic growth and create jobs on Monday, the violence in Tshwane has shown that the ANC should rather have focussed its attention on other aspects as well, such as military security and law and order within the country. Had this been the case, the violence and damage which are rampant throughout Tshwane could either have been avoided, or at the very least been resolved sooner.

Issued by Armand Greyling, Law and Policy Analyst, AfriBusiness, 22 June 2016