While many people consider State capture to be far removed from their lives, it is already impacting on South Africa’s economy, the State and on the wellbeing of citizens’ lives, said Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Delivering an address at the South African Communist Party’s (SACP’s) fourteenth national congress in Johannesburg on Wednesday, he called on the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) tripartite alliance member to act to prevent further damage to the country.

The tripartite alliance is made up of the ANC, SACP and the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

“We as taxpayers paid for a lavish wedding that took place at Sun City. These are resources that belong to people of South Africa, with which we were meant to build schools, houses, clinics, with which we were meant to support emerging farmers, small business and cooperatives. This money could have been used to fund education for the poor and improve the quality of health in our country. I will not remain quiet. It is unacceptable and should not be happening in our democracy,” affirmed Ramaphosa.

South Africa has outstanding institutions that must be defended and protected and whose integrity must be enhanced, and if left to be captured then all would be lost in South Africa, he warned.

In arguably his most forthright display in the lead-up to the ANC elective conference in December, apart perhaps from what he has said at cadre forums at ANC branch level – the most important level of the organisation in the election of the ANC’s leadership group – he called on the ANC’s alliance members to mobilise structures and supporters to oppose the behaviour of those clearly involved in State capture, as well as other insidious forms of corruption.

Alliance members were warned that they would not be protected if they were involved with corruption and State capture.

PROTECT THE ALLIANCE
Ramaphosa pointed out that the SACP’s congress was taking place at a time when admittedly the ANC movement was at its weakest which was placing the alliance under strain.

He reinforced the need for alliance members to react wisely and to “resist each effort to destroy this alliance”.

“The alliance was built in blood and struggle and must continue forever. To destroy the alliance between the ANC and SACP would be a grave mistake to which history will provide no absolution. We will have committed a grave historic error. The people of South Africa would not forgive such a reckless act. Together we are stronger,” he encouraged.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa acknowledged that the ANC’s structure and programmes had been undermined by corruption, as pointed out by ANC general secretary Gwede Mantashe, when he tabled the party’s diagnostic report at its recent five-yearly policy conference.

Information continued to emerge around the looting of State-owned enterprises and around the “network of illicit relationships and deals designed to benefit just one family and its associates”.

He also called out British PR firm Bell Pottinger on its dealings in South Africa and stated that it was as shameful that many people seemed prepared to die for the ideas brought to the country’s political discourse by Pottinger, which were poisonous and solely for the narrow benefits of their client.

The Deputy President also revealed that at no other point in the ANC’s existence has factionalism been so brazen and prominent and added that South Africans were watching with concern and fear.

“South Africans are wondering if we are still capable of leading them. They want to hear how the ANC and broader alliance will heal itself, how we are going to revive and transform the economy and how we are going to improve their lives. This is the moment we dare not fail our people,” declared Ramaphosa.

Despite the negative issues affecting the country, there was still a need to be optimistic.

Ramaphosa stated that signs at ANC’s policy conference were reason for hope and said the party had embarked on a journey of renewal.

He said a platform was built out of the conference that needs to be strengthened.

“We see this congress as being part of that strengthening to unite our movement. We expect decisions to build and unite the alliance out of this congress,” he said. 

STATE POWER
As the SACP pondered whether to pursue State power by going it alone politically, Ramaphosa urged the party to pause to consider whether “we are better united or divided.”

“We must face reality, as a revolutionary movement we must never take decisions by what drives our emotions, never make decisions out of anger. We must do what our forebears have always done. They have always been calculating leaders and based their decisions on what will advantage our people the most,” he pointed out.

The economy would not grow unless there were higher levels of fixed investment and the SACP congress should look at innovative ways in which this could be achieved by providing crisp, clear, forward-looking positions to reignite growth and create jobs, suggested Ramaphosa.

“Let us use the outcomes of this congress, proposals from the ANC conference, and decisions of Cosatu’s central committee to articulate a clear economic agenda for the alliance. This will call for a summit for all alliance members to iron out all issues and craft a clearer way forward. The SACP is well placed to propose what will move this country forward. Do not fail our people, come up with the solutions they need,” he pleaded.