The war against corruption in the African continent is set to set ablaze in South Africa. The South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, is in a state of indecisiveness following the ongoing graft in his country. Ramaphosa, also the president of ANC, is expected to make some tough decisions to restore its economic condition. For the past decade, the government has had to withstand the effects of corruption that trickled down to slow growth and bankruptcy in various companies. The government holds a monolithic ruling party, ANC, which is facing corruption accusations.
Ramaphosa and ANC party anti-corruption campaign
Late August this year, the president wrote to the ANC, giving a pledge that officials facing disciplinary and criminal procedures were to step aside. Party members have expressed their disappointments towards the ongoing graft to the streets with protests. The pressure to fulfill this pledge to the ANC is now growing, especially from the public.
People want to see him taking the drastic measures and fulfilling justice to his people. The coordinator of parliament for the South Africa trade unions gave assuring remarks to the president. He does not have to provide a cold shoulder to take officials to prison. The public is already on his side on this one. However, the major battle Ramaphosa is facing is within the ANC.
South African officials facing graft crimes
According to the directorate for priority crime, Investigation known as Hawks had suspected of bribery. Angelo Agrizzi, the former executive at Services Company, Bosasa, and Vincent Smith, a senior politician who oversaw parliamentary commission on prisons. Agrizzi previously admitted of Bosasa paying bribes to win prison contracts.
Jacob Zuma’s cases of corruption have as well resurfaced after being dropped over ten years ago. Former security Minister Bongani Bongo is also facing corruption-related crimes. Other senior government officials were arrested over corruption at a state housing project in a Free State province.
Graft cases within the party have been made evident with the husband of Ramaphosa’s spokeswoman was involved. The husband allegedly won the contract to supply medical equipment needed during the corona pandemic. ANC secretary-General Ace Magashule had his two sons and won similar tenders, although there were no illegal actions.
Economic impact and recovery plans
The rainbow nation, a name given by the first black African president of the government, Nelson Mandela, is now crumbling. A severe annual contraction of the economy has taken root, and 42% of its workforce is unemployed. This raises more concerns on the president to quickly hasten his decisions on eradicating corruption in his country at all costs, even if it means that the ANC might lose its governing powers. A risk that the public is ready to take.
Currently, President Ramaphosa has launched an R2.3 trillion plan to reinforce the economy. This amount will be invested in infrastructure and private investment for the next ten years. As a result of the national scandals and corruption cases, the country has been left to rely on debts—a debt totaling to $29 million, accompanied by unpaid salaries and a bankrupt national airline. A loan from the International Monetary Fund is now the last resort for the country. According to Eunomix Business and Economics ltd, until Ramaphosa deals with corruption in the country, economic growth will be restored.
More:
- South Africa Reopens Its Borders As Flights Resume Operations
- Efforts to Fight Corruption in African Countries
