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"The ANC is under no illusion that its lists must enhance its integrity, with a calibre of public representatives that are capable of advancing the electoral mandate of the ANC..." – ANC statement, January 6, 2019
The inclusion of Malusi Gigaba, Nomvula Mokonyane, Bathabile Dlamini and Mosebenzi Zwane is a reflection of how deeply divided the ANC remains and also how difficult President Cyril Ramaphosa’s task is to have a new dawn break over the ruling party.
Ace Magashule, the party’s secretary general and a man himself deeply implicated in state capture and mismanagement of the Free State government, told the assembled media at the Electoral Commission of South Africa's headquarters in Centurion on Wednesday that all four have passed muster in the list process and that they have been included as ANC candidates for the election.
The four haven’t been found guilty in any court of law, Magashule said, which of course justifies their inclusion. This notwithstanding the post-Zuma ANC (or at least, a faction of it) declaring that only candidates of the highest moral fibre will be considered as a public representative. What’s more, those who have sown "division and conflict" will also be excluded.
Gigaba, Mokonyane, Dlamini and Zwane – by any definition and standard – are compromised individuals.
Gigaba was minister of public enterprises, home affairs and for a short period finance before he resigned because of issues in his personal life. In his time in Cabinet, the Gupta Leaks tells us, his departments bent over backwards to accommodate the first family of state capture – and his interventions opened up the boards of state-owned companies to the rent-seekers and looters.
Does he advance the integrity of the ANC?
Mokonyane was responsible for the "complete collapse" of the department of water affairs and sanitation with Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts asking for criminal charges and a full inquiry into its affairs. And Angelo Agrizzi, the don of one of the ANC main sponsors Bosasa, told Deputy Chief Justice Ray Zondo of R50 000 in bribes paid to her while she was Gauteng premier. Mokonyane, said Agrizzi, also demanded meat, booze and other gifts for Christmas.
Does she advance the integrity of the ANC?
Dlamini, one of the worst performing ministers in the government of former president Jacob Zuma, was slammed by the Constitutional Court last year for her handling of the social grants debacle in which the livelihoods of millions of people were threatened. The court said she was "reckless" and "grossly negligent" and instructed the National Prosecuting Authority to consider perjury charges against her for lying under oath.
Does she advance the integrity of the ANC?
Zwane was an unabashed and unapologetic "Guma" envoy in Zuma’s Cabinet. As minister of mineral resources – and with the blessing of Zuma – led an inquiry into the commercial banks’ decision to excommunicate the Guptas, and also personally intervened to enable the family to purchase Tegeta, a company that owned the Optimum coal mine that the Guptas bought with the aid of Eskom.
Does he advance the integrity of the ANC?
Ramaphosa won the ANC leadership contest by less than 180 votes, with the lowest winning number of any party leader in recent memory: 52%. His top six leadership is equally divided, although it seems he has increased his support in the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee.
The list process is driven from branch and regional levels. The inclusion of these four candidates means the party’s rank and file wants them there. Yes, he has to keep constituencies happy, but are these the best the ANC has to offer?
Those close to Ramaphosa say he is fighting a battle on three fronts: to clean up government, kick-start the economy and inside the ANC.
With Gigaba, Mokonyane, Dlamini and Zwane there, it seems his fight is going to be long and arduous.
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