The ANC’s three-day national general council (NGC) underway in Boksburg, Gauteng, yesterday opened with a firm message from President Cyril Ramaphosa that corruption within the party will not be tolerated.

According to The Witness, this year’s NGC comes as the party strives to regain citizens’ trust amid criticism that it has allowed a culture of corruption to flourish.

As part of its bid to restore public confidence, the ANC at its 2022 national conference adopted a resolution to rigorously implement the organisation’s renewal programme.

Ramaphosa singles out tenders as corruption hotspot

Delivering his political overview report at the NGC opening, Ramaphosa — who singled out tenders as the main source of corruption — said the only way the party could regain public trust was by fully embracing the renewal programme.

“If the ANC can demonstrably renew itself, public attitudes toward our movement will shift from cynicism to cautious optimism. We have to earn trust through our actions, not words.”

Among other measures, the programme demands strict discipline from members, with those facing corruption allegations required to step aside from both government and party positions.

Members who recently stepped aside in line with the programme included suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, accused of undermining police investigations, and ANC National Assembly Defence portfolio committee chairperson Malusi Gigaba, accused of corruption.

Ramaphosa made it clear that ANC members involved in corruption or other criminal acts would be expelled.

“As renewal gains momentum, those whose conduct conflicts with our values — the criminals, the corrupt, the careerists and extortionists — will find themselves outside of the ANC.”

Concerns over outsourcing and service delivery

The ANC NGC, Ramaphosa added, should reflect on the government’s practice of outsourcing most of its functions to private individuals through tenders, particularly those involving basic services.

“Outsourcing opens the door to corruption — with many cases of tender manipulation, bribery, overpricing and the use of front companies. Workers become vulnerable because their jobs are tied to tenders.

“When the tender ends, so does their employment. We need to give dignity to our people by ensuring they gain skills and permanence in their jobs through public sector work,” he said.

On service delivery and the economy, Ramaphosa acknowledged areas of progress, including addressing the country’s power supply challenges, but decried the party’s failure to implement some conference resolutions, which, if acted upon, could have advanced the country.

“We should focus more attention on the implementation of our decisions. The lack of implementation is a disease which we must rid our organisations, structures and government of.”

Economic redress remains a priority

While the ANC’s economic redress policies, including Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment and Employment Equity, have become contentious, Ramaphosa said the realities on the ground make it premature to abandon them.

“The legacy of colonial dispossession and apartheid remains a defining feature of South African society, reflecting persistent inequality in wealth, income and access to land. We need to address poverty, unemployment and ongoing inequality. Further actions are required to stimulate inclusive growth, especially for young people,” he said.

NGC focus on renewal, not succession

Held every five years, the NGC reviews the party’s policies and programmes. In 2005, some delegates used the gathering to launch a campaign against then ANC president Thabo Mbeki.

Ahead of this year’s NGC, rumours circulated that some ANC members intended to use the gathering to remove Ramaphosa before the end of his term in 2029.

However, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said no delegate would be allowed to raise succession issues.

“We have learnt of attempts to divert us from the core business of this general council to focus on matters that will have their own time for discussion. This general council is about preparing to win elections. It is about consolidating the programme of renewal,” he said.

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