WE KNOW by now that what the African National Congress (ANC) says is not necessarily what it does.
But the contrast between the anticorruption rhetoric in its January 8 birthday statement and what’s happening in the government and elsewhere could hardly be more stark.
"We cannot ignore the scourge of corruption that eats at the fabric of our society and constrains economic development," President Jacob Zuma declaimed.
"The ANC must continue to lead in ending corruption in the state, the private sector and among our own membership."
So it should. But if events at the Hawks and at the South African Revenue Service are any indication, then far from leading, the ANC and its leader seem to be undermining exactly those institutions whose task it is to fight corruption.
The Hawks, remember, was Zuma’s creation. The Scorpions, housed in the National Prosecuting Authority, seemed to be too independent for his taste. It was disbanded and the specialised task of combating organised crime, along with some of the expertise, was moved into the South African Police Service under the Hawks led by Lieutenant-General Anwa Dramat.
Now Lt-Gen Dramat, too, has incurred displeasure from higher up and has been controversially suspended. The matter is headed for the High Court this week, with the Helen Suzman Foundation challenging the suspension.
Lt-Gen Dramat has claimed there is a smear campaign against him designed to derail sensitive, high-profile investigations.
He is not the only one to claim a set-up in actions against them. South African Revenue Service deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay and other suspended colleagues have fought back too against allegations which they claim are designed to drive them out.
Corruption is dirty and though there is no excuse for unethical behaviour, those tasked with fighting it may not always adopt the most conventional of methods. It is hard not to see the suspensions at the Hawks and SARS as an attempt to neutralise some of their experienced and effective leaders and ensure these organisations lose the ability and the will to act against those in power. This is surely not what the ANC calls fighting corruption.
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