Durban - If the ANC delegates, who will be trusted by thousands of its members when they vote for the ruling party’s next president, are guided by principles and integrity, then Zweli Mkhize will overcome President Cyril Ramaphosa.
These were the observations of political analysts weighing up the chances of the party’s two “tainted” presidential candidates as the party prepares for its 55th elective conference on Friday.
Mkhize and Ramaphosa faced personal challenges in their recent terms in office which has raised questions about their integrity. Mkhize, the former health minister, had to relinquish his position after corruption allegations were raised against him over a R150-million tender awarded to a company known as Digital Vibes.
Once SIU investigations began, Mkhize tendered his resignation and stepped away from office. No formal charges have been made against him yet. However, the allegations did not deter Mkhize from pursuing the presidential post. Throughout his campaign, he insisted he co-operated with law enforcement agencies and that they would not convict him.
Mkhize received more than 800 branch nominations and came in second after Ramaphosa, who got over 2 000.
Mkhize told the Sunday Tribune yesterday, ahead of the ANCYL’s KZN elective conference where he was expected to deliver the opening address, that it has been a humbling experience to interact with ANC members and delegates at the party’s 55th national conference. He said based on interactions with branches, they agreed that the responsibility for ensuring the government delivers, lies more with ANC members than with the opposition.
“I salute KZN’s provincial leadership and leaders in other provinces and regions for having afforded me an opportunity to interact with ANC members at a branch level. “We are going to this conference with confidence derived from the support we have received.
ANC members have mandated me and the leadership collective to ensure that post the conference – we have an aggressive programme of political development which must reach all corners of the country,” he said.
“We want to emphasise the enduring values of our movement such as humility, hard work, integrity, honour, diligence, respect, sacrifice, selflessness, readiness to learn and correct mistakes.”
Ramaphosa also has a dark cloud over his head regarding a break-in at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo, where thousands of US dollars were stolen. He said that the money was the proceeds from livestock sales. However, he kept the robbery under wraps as he didn’t report it to the SAPS.
This prompted an investigation by Parliament, which established a Section 89 independent panel. The report found Ramaphosa might have violated the Constitution by keeping foreign currency at his property and conducting business while he was occupying the State’s highest office. Ramaphosa also ran an intensive campaign in pursuit of a second term for the presidency.
Last week, he was under pressure to resign as head of state. His spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, did not respond to questions about his campaign and the impact of the Phala Phala scandal.
Weighing in, analysts believed that allegations against Ramaphosa caused the party greater harm and would escalate if he was victorious at the conference. Professor Bheki Mngomezulu said Ramaphosa had violated the Constitution while in the highest office with the Phala Phala saga. “Having an incumbent president under investigation for serious crimes with multiple elements will make the job easier for the opposition parties. “South Africans were sold on his ‘new dawn’ idea to fight corruption and end state capture, yet the same person is involved in a scandal,” he said.
“I don’t think this will leave him for as long as he holds that position. If you compare him to Mkhize, electing him will be more damaging to the party.” Analyst Thabani Khumalo said it was unfortunate that the party had to choose between two tainted leaders. “Their allegations are damaging because it stinks of corruption.
He made many promises and people who were not necessarily members of the ANC voted for him based on his promise to fight corruption. ANC support will decline in 2024 if he is the leader.”
Ralph Mathekga said the ANC had made poor choices by having frontrunners who are facing allegations of impropriety: “Both are facing serious allegations. However, the fact that Ramaphosa is the head of state makes it look like he is doing more damage.”
SUNDAY TRIBUNE