ANC - A TIME FOR SELF-REFLECTION AND RECKONING

Gwede Mantashe, secretary-general of the ANC, is the point man for ANC members to come forward with accusations of state capture by the Gupta family. The open invitation to members was accompanied by a promise of political protection but not immunity from prosecution. So, if the object of the investigation is to "gather all pertinent information" those with unclean hands will decline the invitation. The end result - a window dressing PR exercise. By all accounts patronage within the corridors of the ANC government is at toxic levels. It is not enough, as Manatashe maintains, for the issue be dealt with in-house by "robust discussion" - a euphemistic code for an inconsequential shouting match. In addition his assurance that allegations will be investigated "to tell the facts from the truth" is unintelligible. Fact and truth are inseparable, because a fact is truth known by actual experience or observation. So, if fact and truth, according to Mantashe, are not one and the same, do not expect him and his comrades to separate fact from fiction? At first glance an independent judicial commission should be appointed. In principle appropriate, but unsatisfactory because time is of the essence in ridding the scourge of political patronage. If the ANC genuinely wishes to exorcise patronage and restore its tattered image, it must do so openly and transparently. A secretive closed door investigation reeks of a cover-up.