Johannesburg - Leader of the African People's Convention (APC) Themba Godi has slammed South Africa’s prominent ‘morality police’ including Thuli Madonsela, for keeping mum over the findings of the expert panel which found the president guilty of possible wrongdoing, regarding a robbery at his Phala Phala farm in which millions of dollars were reportedly stolen.
Madonsela had been seen as an advocate for democracy and a champion of human rights and the protection of the constitution, but her silence over the Phala Phala matter has raised eyebrows. The same goes for Bishop Thabo Makgoba, who in the past has called for certain ANC leaders to wear orange overalls.
Godi said it was not surprising that Madonsela, the former Public Protector, had not said anything about the Phala Phala findings. He said it was clear that even academics and pastors had their favourite leaders within the ANC.
"People generally have no problem with corruption as long as it’s their man, but once it’s their person, they try very hard to protect that person. There was a panel presided over by a retired chief justice. They came to the view that the president has a case to answer. Where is the outrage from the moral police? It’s not there because it’s their person. We heard that they are planning to fight back," Godi said.
Godi said the ANC was at a turning point where factional divisions in the party are devouring the party and eating away at its existence. He said the party would either reject the report into the president’s conduct or close ranks and reject the report.
"It’s a tough one for them. It's time they accept that they have failed the country in their 30 years of leadership."
Godi said it was clear that interest, and not principle, was at the centre of South African politics because of the manner in which different ANC leaders have been dealt with.
"Look at President Mbeki; he never finished his term; look at President Zuma; they all keep telling us things will be better when this one leaves, but does it really get better?"
The Star