JOHANNESBURG – The ANC must ensure a new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) is appointed urgently and law enforcement agencies are depoliticised.
That is according to ANC stalwarts, after the party’s national elective conference wrapped up at Nasrec on Thursday.
A group of over 100 stalwarts had been very critical of the ANC’s previous leadership, particularly Jacob Zuma.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the stalwarts congratulatednew party president, Cyril Ramaphosa, on his election.
“As stalwarts, we believe there still remains unfinished business. We will continue to demand that there is a radical departure from the unacceptable tolerance of corruption that has reached into all parts of our economy.
“There can be no place in the ANC, government, the civil service, and the public and private sectors of the economy for those who have been involved in corrupt activities, irrespective of their position. Justice must be seen to take its course, objectively without fear or favour.”
Earlier this month, the North Gauteng High Court ruled that the appointment of Shaun Abrahams as head of the National Prosecuting Authority was invalid and should be set aside.
It also ruled that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa must appoint the new prosecutions boss because President Jacob Zuma was “conflicted” as the NPA is considering whether to reinstate corruption charges against him.
Zuma is appealing both findings.
The stalwarts said the elective conference was not the end of a sad period of South Africa’s history as a country or of the ANC.
“It could and should be the beginning of the end; if and only if, there is an acceptance that there is a necessary and urgent need for an honest reflection of the internal organisation of the ANC and how we can transform into a political party that is relevant in the eyes of the electorate we must be committed to serve.
“The signal that this truly is the beginning of the end will be a decisive end to the scourge of corruption.”
