Era of impunity is over, vows Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed to remove officials who are found guilty of corruption from their positions.
Ramaphosa addressed African National Congress (ANC) supporters during the party’s final Siyanqoba rally at Ellis Park Stadium.
It was the president’s final address to supporters and voters ahead of Wednesday’s elections.
“We are determined that those who are found guilty of corruption or involvement in state capture will not be allowed to occupy positions of responsibility either in the ANC, Parliament or government.
“This is important if we are to deal with the issue of integrity. The era of impunity is over, we are now entering a period of accountability, an era of consequence management,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa's tenure as head of state has seen the appointment of new leaders at key institutions such as the South African Revenue Service and the National Prosecuting Authority, while those who were implicated in wrongdoing removed.
These include former Sars commissioner Tom Moyane and prosecutions head Shaun Abrahams.
Ramaphosa said the new leadership is meant to restore credibility and effectiveness to the institutions and that those who have taken part in the weakening of these institutions will be held accountable.
“We have done much to restore the credibility and effectiveness of a number of institutions that have been weakened; the NPA, SARS, the SAPS and the SSA. But the road ahead comrades is long and there is still much that still has to be done.”
He added: “We should expect resistance from those who have benefited from wrongdoing. Let there be no doubt that those who are responsible for malfeasance and corruption will be held to account, because we have to restore the rule of law.
“Police and prosecutors will further be strengthened and their independence will be assured so that they could do their work without any hindrance without any fear, favour or prejudice.”