BUSISIWE MAVUSO: Ramaphosa should use strong mandate to root out crime and graft

Business Leadership SA (BLSA) hopes that as President Cyril Ramaphosa has won a second term as head of the ANC by a considerable margin, he is now in a position to meaningfully tackle the crime and corruption that is strangling SA.

In his state of the nation address on February 9 he should weave anticorruption policies into each priority action he announces for the year ahead. Organised crime is now one of the main threats to key public and private infrastructure and is proving a severe threat to the country’s efforts to reform the energy and transport industries.

As part of the ANC’s January 8 statement commemorating the party’s 111th anniversary the president issued a stern warning to those in the ANC who are involved in corrupt activities, and called for the speedy implementation of the Zondo state capture commission recommendations and that those implicated in acts of corruption be investigated.

In his address Ramaphosa will need to show leadership regarding the energy crisis that is wreaking havoc across the economy and negatively affecting people’s livelihoods. Transnet’s challenges must be tackled head on, especially given the alarming news that coal exports have fallen to a 30-year low at the Richards Bay terminal due mainly to cable theft and the low availability of locomotives. That this is happening when coal prices are elevated adds to the opportunity cost of corruption and a dysfunctional rail and ports system. 

Eskom and Transnet are perfect examples of how crime and corruption can suffocate development and drive an economy into the ground. While corruption has dented economic growth and eroded people’s belief in the state’s ability to deliver positive change, the president has always made it clear that fighting back will not be easy or quick given how many years it took for fraud and graft to become entrenched.

However, he now needs to accelerate the government’s anticorruption efforts. One of the ways he can do this is by ensuring his government is defined by ethical leaders who serve the needs of all South Africans. In the imminent cabinet reshuffle in particular he should choose leaders who are able to fulfil their portfolio’s mandates and help transform the economy.

Cadre deployment

Business believes SA needs a cabinet that will be able to drive urgent implementation across a broad range of areas and has detailed knowledge of the complex issues that need to be resolved. We need ministers who recognise the importance of the government working in a real partnership with business to improve investor sentiment and get things done. All cabinet ministers should be accountable for eliminating corruption in their area of responsibility.

The quality of SA’s public sector should be urgently upgraded, with all managers tasked with eliminating corruption in their departments. Chief justice Raymond Zondo’s report highlighted cadre deployment in state-owned enterprises and departments in which appointed leaders abused the public procurement processes and enabled state capture. The public service must be staffed by qualified, skilled and honest people appointed on merit and experience, and who are committed to upholding the values of the constitution. Putting unscrupulous, unqualified people into key positions inevitably leads to a lack of accountability, and embezzlement.

SA is not alone in having a public service crippled by patronage and corruption, but that is no excuse for complacency. The extent of the rot in our public service is illustrated by the fact that at end-June 2021 305 public servants were on suspension on full pay, at a cost to the taxpayer of R131m, with national departments paying out R40.3m and provinces R90.7m.

In October last year the cabinet approved the National Framework Towards the Professionalisation of the Public Sector, with the aim of ensuring “a responsive and professionalised public administration in the service of the people”. The framework proposes several checks and balances regarding the appointment of senior officials. For example, the tenures of directors-general will be separated from electoral cycles while the Public Service Commission will be involved in selecting top officials.

In his state of the nation address the president will hopefully assure us these plans will be implemented without further delay. It’s time for decisive action, as no country can flourish when it is infested by corruption and malfeasance. Business stands ready to work hard in supporting open, reform-minded ministers and public service officials to ensure reforms are implemented so that we can resolve problems in energy and transport particularly, and work towards the long-term aim of building an inclusive, growing economy that creates jobs.

• Mavuso is CEO of Business Leadership SA.