Why Shiceka should STAY ON - at least for now
Comrades, friends
Since I was born I have always taken the liberty to air my views on any matter
as I deem appropriate, using any appropriate platform at my disposal, whenever
an opportunity presents itself. My views are not intended to cause harm to or
praise anybody. At all material times I endeavour to be above board and stick
to matters of principle.
Some of the issues I raise may be considered sensitive. But I, like any other
South African, have the right to formulate an opinion on any matter, in
accordance with the dictates of our Constitution. The Constitution is the
cornerstone of our democracy and guarantor of freedom. In Section 15(1) it
guarantees all of us, South Africans, the right to freedom of conscience,
religion, thought, belief and opinion. Section 16(1) guarantees us the right to
freedom of expression, which includes freedom to receive or impart information
or ideas. These rights are, however, subject to the Limitation Clause of the
Constitution – which is section 16(2).
I therefore wish to encourage anybody interested in debates to engage calmly
and focus solely on substance and avoid resorting to emotive language. As the
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s correctly said during the 2004 Nelson
Mandela Lecture, “We should not impugn the motives of others but accept the
bona fides of all. If we believe in something, then surely we will be ready to
defend it rationally, hoping to persuade those opposed to change their point of
view... We should not be browbeaten by pontificating decrees from on high. It
should be possible to talk as adults about issues without engaging in slanging
matches."
Comrades, friends and colleagues
A few days ago, our faces froze at the loud newspaper headlines about Minister
Sicelo Shiceka’s alleged corrupt activities. Since then there have been calls
for government to investigate claims that Minister Shiceka improperly used
state money to gallivant the world. These calls should be welcome. But those
calls for the President to simply fire him are politically preposterous and
should be rejected with the contempt they deserve. No minister should be fired
on the basis of newspaper headlines. After all, Honourable Shiceka is not the
only minister to make headlines for wrong reasons. We have plenty of such
ministers; the list is long. The Honourable Shiceka is innocent until proven
otherwise by a competent authority – be it the Office of the Public Protector
or a court of law. Any suggestion to the contrary would not hold water, save
for pure political ends.
As you would recall, not too long ago the National Police Commissioner was
reported in the media to have improperly influenced the signing of a lease
agreement for new police headquarters. Despite voluminous calls for him to be
fired, he stayed on. Instead, and correctly so, an investigation was initiated
and findings thereof were presented to Cabinet – at least this information is
in the public domain already; I therefore cannot be accused of illegally
disseminating classified information.
Again, not too long ago, the wife of our Intelligence Minister was arrested on
charges of drug dealing and smuggling. Some quarters of our society called for
the Minister’s head, but he has stayed on to this day.
The current president, before his ascendancy to the highest office in the land,
was a regular visitor to courts on allegations of corruption. Some within our
society complained so vociferously that he was unfairly charged and prosecuted
through the court of public opinion in order to serve narrow political ends of
some factions within the ruling party. As we all know, the case was dropped by
the NPA because it had been ‘so politically contaminated’ that continuing with
prosecution would not serve the interests of justice.
Given this set of precedence, it would not only be politically
counter-intuitive but also procedurally and morally reprehensible to simply
fire Honourable Shiceka. Those who aver that he is corrupt must prove and let
the competent authorities to be the final arbiter. If the allegations are found
to be true, then the Honourable Minister must face the consequences. As the ANC
(of which I have been a member for at least 13 years) said following its NEC
lekgotla earlier this year, our criminal justice system must ensure that those
found guilty of corruption are subjected to the harshest of sentences. Nothing
should be taken away from that statement.
Some may argue that because of the gravity of allegations, the Minister should
step down or be fired. They possibly would argue that it is politically
important that the President sends out a clear message that he and his
government will not tolerate corruption. This may be true. But it is also
politically true that the President should not be seen to be purging particular
sections of our society, especially noting that General Cele and Honourable
Cwele – both of whom are of the same ethnic group as the President - have been
allowed to stay on. Any hurried action against Honourable Shiceka may give
credence to the perception of Zulunisation of South African politics and the
concomitant cleansing of the so-called Xhosa nostra. Isn’t that a politically
hot issue as well?
As Frederick van Zyl Slabbert once cautioned “… politics in South Africa is not
like a computer game where a cyberspace monster munches its way through all
obstacles until it gets to the target”. As he emphasized, “A politician has to
deal with the fears, prejudices, aspirations and ambitions of the average
voter. These are shaped by historical circumstances that give content to the
current dynamics of politics”.
Ndisatshaya!
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