Sunday Times E-Edition

Standoff with Sisulu erodes confidence in Ramaphosa

This week’s standoff between President Cyril Ramaphosa and tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu reflects the ANC’s fundamental internal contradictions, which have proved to be devastating for the republic and its people. Contrary to Ramaphosa’s pledge since the ANC’s Nasrec conference to unite the ANC, the party has remained divided, mainly between Ramaphosa’s supporters and the so-called radical economic transformation faction sympathetic to former president Jacob Zuma. The divisions are set to deepen in the run-up to the party’s elective conference in December. Sections of the ANC have already declared support for Ramaphosa, while Sisulu’s astounding attack on the constitution and the judiciary marks the launch of her campaign to challenge for the party presidency.

Sisulu’s article cast aspersions on the constitution, unjustifiably blaming it for continuing inequality. She also criticised black judges as mentally colonised.

Her comments betray her oath of office and revealed someone seeking to undermine the constitution and the judiciary, two pillars of our democracy.

The honourable thing for a member of government who no longer believes in their oath of office would be to step down. For reasons related to her quest to become party president, Sisulu stayed put.

Alternatively, her principal — Ramaphosa — would have dismissed her. Instead, he let the crisis brew, causing uncertainty and undermining confidence in the future of SA.

This shows once more how the ANC’s politics constrain Ramaphosa as head of state, and hold SA to ransom, distracting the party from the task of serving the country.

Has the time come to ask if the ANC represents a force for good and progress, or whether it is nothing more than a malign, self-serving presence in our body politic?

For Ramaphosa, this sorry episode will further erode confidence in him as leader of both his party and the republic.

Opinion

en-za

2022-01-23T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-01-23T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://times-e-editions.pressreader.com/article/281943136261696

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