An open letter to Gwede Mantashe, secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC):
The ANC election manifesto has been launched and though some people are saying that there is nothing new, it does give hope to the majority who are waiting for a better life.
I suppose that it is now up to us to vote the ANC back into power to see implementation, especially since the opening of the University of the Northern Cape and the Exhibition Centre in Atlanta.
I must mention though that it was very disappointing that no mention was made about the much anticipated Academic Hospital for Limpopo.
However, there is something mentioned in the manifesto that the ANC can and should start acting on immediately and that is corruption. Show us that corruption will not be tolerated by taking appropriate action against public servants who were charged and found guilty of corruption, even though it leads to dismissal. Anyone who commits a crime should know that there are consequences to carry.
Furthermore, implement the public protector’s recommendations and release Tina Joemat-Peterson and Dina Pule of their duties just as Beki Cele and Sicelo Shiceka were. In fact, they should not be allowed to serve on any structure of the ANC.
Most importantly, when the public protector releases her report on Nkandla, stern action must be taken against all implicated persons. The recommendations made by the public protector must be implemented without fear or favour.
This ANC must be seen as intolerable to corruption even though it will mean taking what may be seen as unpopular decisions.
The ANC must be seen to be putting the citizens of the country first and the interest of the ANC above the interest of any individual and or any group of individuals.
Trevor Madikoto
