THE African National Congress (ANC) has long touted its commitment to renewal, a process it claims will restore its moral compass and rebuild the trust of the South African people. Yet, as the Phala Phala scandal and the subsequent decision to classify the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report demonstrate, the party’s actions continue to betray its words.
The ANC’s refusal to embrace transparency and accountability especially when it comes to the conduct of its most senior leaders, reveals a party still deeply entrenched in the culture of impunity that has eroded public trust in the first place. If the ANC is serious about renewal, it must start by understanding that accountability is not optional; it is the very foundation of democracy.
The Phala Phala Scandal: A Test of Accountability
The Phala Phala saga, which erupted in 2022, has become a litmus test for the ANC’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The scandal revolves around allegations that millions of US dollars were stolen from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Limpopo farm in 2020. What followed was a series of questionable actions, including the alleged involvement of presidential protection unit officers in a covert operation to track down the stolen money in Namibia. These allegations, brought to light by former State Security Agency Director-General Arthur Fraser, have raised serious questions about the conduct of the president and those tasked with his protection.
The scandal has been further compounded by the ANC’s handling of the subsequent investigations. While the Public Protector, Parliament and the South African Reserve Bank have released their questionable findings, the IPID report into the conduct of the police officers involved remains shrouded in secrecy. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has declared the report “top secret,” refusing to make it public despite repeated requests from opposition parties and civil society. This decision to classify the report is not just an affront to transparency; it is a blatant disregard for the principles of accountability that the ANC claims to uphold.
The ANC’s Culture of Impunity: Protecting Leaders at All Costs
The ANC’s culture of impunity is not a new phenomenon; it is a hallmark of the party’s approach to governance, particularly when its leaders are accused of corruption. Time and again, the ANC has demonstrated a willingness to protect its leaders at all costs, even if it means undermining state institutions and eroding public trust.
This pattern of behaviour is evident in the Phala Phala scandal, where the decision to classify the IPID report is just the latest example of the ANC prioritising the interests of its leaders over the principles of accountability and transparency. By shielding President Ramaphosa and his protection unit from scrutiny, the ANC is sending a clear message: loyalty to the party and its leaders trumps the rule of law.
This culture of impunity is further exemplified by the ANC’s historical handling of corruption allegations against its leaders. From the arms deal scandal during Thabo Mbeki’s presidency, to the Nkandla scandal under Jacob Zuma, and now the Phala Phala saga under Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC has consistently prioritised the protection of its leaders over the principles of accountability and transparency.
These scandals are not isolated incidents but rather emblematic of a systemic failure to hold those in power accountable for their actions. Instead, the party has often resorted to legal manoeuvres, political shielding, and even the manipulation of state institutions to protect those in power. This refusal to release the IPID report is part of this broader pattern, where state institutions are either co-opted or sidelined to serve the interests of the ruling party. This not only undermines the integrity of these institutions but also perpetuates a cycle of corruption and impunity that has become synonymous with the ANC’s governance.
Running Roughshod Over State Institutions
The ANC’s approach to the Phala Phala scandal also highlights its tendency to run roughshod over state institutions when they threaten to expose wrongdoing within its ranks. Institutions like IPID, the Public Protector, and the South African Reserve Bank are meant to serve as checks and balances on executive power, ensuring that those in positions of authority are held accountable for their actions.
However, when these institutions uncover uncomfortable truths about the ANC or its leaders, they are often met with resistance, obfuscation, or outright hostility. The classification of the IPID report is a case in point, where a key investigative body’s findings are being suppressed to protect the president and his inner circle.
This disregard for state institutions is not just an attack on transparency; it is an attack on democracy itself. When institutions tasked with upholding the rule of law are undermined, it creates an environment where corruption can flourish unchecked. The ANC’s actions in the Phala Phala scandal demonstrate a troubling willingness to sacrifice the integrity of these institutions in order to protect its leaders.
This is not the behaviour of a party committed to renewal; it is the behaviour of a party that has yet to break free from the shackles of its past. If the ANC is serious about renewal, it must stop treating state institutions as tools to be manipulated and start respecting their role as guardians of accountability and transparency. Until then, its claims of renewal will remain nothing more than a hollow promise.
The ANC’s Renewal Rhetoric vs. Reality
The ANC’s renewal project has been a central theme of its internal and external messaging in recent years. The party has acknowledged the need to address corruption, mismanagement, and the erosion of public trust. At its 55th National Conference in December 2022, the ANC pledged to “renew itself” and “restore the confidence of the people.” Yet, the handling of the Phala Phala scandal and the IPID report suggests that these promises are little more than empty rhetoric.
Accountability must start at the top. President Ramaphosa, who came to power on a wave of optimism and promises to clean up government, now finds himself at the centre of a scandal that undermines his credibility. The ANC’s refusal to release the IPID report sends a clear message: the party is more interested in protecting its leaders than in upholding the principles of transparency and accountability. This is not renewal; it is the same old ANC, clinging to the same old habits of secrecy and self-preservation.
The Importance of Transparency in a Democracy
Transparency is not just a buzzword; it is a cornerstone of democracy. In a country like South Africa, where corruption and mismanagement have plagued the public sector for decades, transparency is essential to rebuilding trust in government institutions. When public officials are allowed to operate in the shadows, it creates an environment where corruption can thrive. By contrast, transparency ensures that those in power are held accountable for their actions, and that the public has the information it needs to make informed decisions.
The decision to classify the IPID report is a direct attack on transparency. It denies the South African people the right to know what happened at Phala Phala and whether those involved have been held accountable. It also undermines the work of institutions like IPID, which are tasked with investigating police misconduct and ensuring that those who abuse their power are brought to justice. By keeping the report secret, the ANC is not just shielding its leaders from scrutiny; it is eroding the very foundations of democracy.
The ANC’s Culture of Impunity
The ANC’s handling of the Phala Phala scandal is symptomatic of a broader culture of impunity within the party. For too long, ANC leaders have been allowed to act with impunity, knowing that they will not be held accountable for their actions. This culture of impunity has been a major factor in the party’s decline, contributing to widespread disillusionment among South African voters.
The ANC’s refusal to release the IPID report is just the latest example of this culture in action. By classifying the report, the party is sending a clear message to its members and the public: accountability is not a priority. This is not the behaviour of a party committed to renewal; it is the behaviour of a party that has yet to learn the lessons of its past failures.
The Role of Opposition Parties and Civil Society
In the face of the ANC’s intransigence, opposition parties and civil society have a critical role to play in holding the party accountable. The African Transformation Movement (ATM), for example, has been relentless in its pursuit of answers about the Phala Phala scandal. ATM leader Vuyo Zungula has made nine requests for the IPID report and laid eleven complaints, demonstrating the importance of persistent advocacy in the fight for transparency.
Civil society organisations, too, must continue to push for accountability. They have a vital role to play in ensuring that the ANC’s promises of renewal are more than just empty words. By holding the ANC’s feet to the fire and not coddling the President as many of them are perceived to, these organisations can help to ensure that the party is held accountable for its actions.
The Way Forward: A Call for Genuine Renewal
If the ANC is serious about renewal, it must start by embracing transparency and accountability. This means releasing the IPID report and allowing the South African people to see the full extent of what happened at Phala Phala. It also means holding those involved accountable for their actions, regardless of their position or influence within the party. Until the ANC is willing to take this step, its claims of renewal will ring hollow.
(Dube is a political economist, businessman, and social commentator on UkhoziFM. His views don’t necessarily reflect those of the Sunday Tribune, Independent Media or IOL)