November 28,2024

'Deal with corruption or lose more electoral support' - Mathews Phosa's warns the ANC

Former uMkhonto we Sizwe commander and ANC treasurer General Mathews Phosa has issued a stern warning to the ANC, emphasizing that the party could face further electoral losses if it fails to address internal corruption. Speaking on JJ Tabane's Power to Truth show, Phosa highlighted the damaging revelations from the Zondo state capture commission of inquiry, which implicated 97 ANC leaders in various corrupt activities.

In the recent May 29 national elections, the ANC garnered only 40% of the vote, necessitating a coalition to form the Government of National Unity (GNU). Phosa stressed that the government must act decisively by arresting those responsible for misappropriating public funds, as indicated by the Auditor-General's report, which identified R214 billion in stolen funds at the local government level.

Phosa called on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and other prosecutorial bodies to thoroughly investigate the allegations from the Zondo report and ensure that those guilty are prosecuted and jailed. He noted that public confidence in the government has eroded due to inaction on these issues, warning that the ANC's support could drop to between 26% and 29% if the party does not implement significant reforms.

Drawing parallels with liberation movements in Botswana and Mauritius that lost power, Phosa emphasized the urgency of addressing the Zondo commission's findings, tackling high crime rates, and improving the economy to avoid a similar fate for the ANC. He also stressed the importance of political education and preventing corrupt individuals from attaining power within the party.

Political analysts supported Phosa's concerns. Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast observed that the ANC's dominance is waning due to institutionalized corruption, while analyst Thabani Khumalo argued that the ANC lacks the capacity to reform itself before the 2026 local government elections. Khumalo pointed out the pervasive corruption within the party and questioned who among the ANC leaders has the courage to confront it, suggesting that the answer is likely no one due to widespread complicity.

The ANC's national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, had not responded to Phosa's claims at the time of publication.