Manuel: The ANC cannot exist for the protection of a single individual
Former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has lamented the state of the African National Congress (ANC) under the leadership of President Jacob Zuma.
Manuel speaking at the annual Kader Asmal Memorial Lecture at the University of Cape Town.
"We must return the ANC to the movement that first attracted us. The movement, which in the words of comrade Kader Asmal, 'has the moral compass pointing in the direction of its core values'.
"We must rebuild the movement that offers an inclusive place for the involvement of the majority, not one that appears to exist for the protection of a single individual for happens to be a serial wrongdoer."
He believes the ANC needs to tackle the issue of corruption in the movement, if it wants to lead the country beyond the 2019 elections.
"Moreover, the increasing reports and evidence of rampant corruption suggests that too many individuals occupy positions of authority for themselves and their cronies. Those left behind are the poor and vulnerable without access. We must campaign that every vestige of corruption is completely eliminated; root and branch. It is not possible to suggest there is fairness in society in the face of rampant corruption."
Manuel also addressed the role of the courts during the current uncertain political climate. President Zuma has found himself on the wrong side of several court judgements, with the High Court in Pretoria last week ordering to submit documents detailing the reasons for his latest Cabinet reshuffle. The judgement has been strongly criticized by the ANC, which urged the president to appeal.
"Our courts are actually the last line of defence. They can't initiate policy, nor can they initiate implementation of policy. They are the last line of defence."
He also reveal that the late Asmal, who served as Education Minister under President Thabo Mbeki, was of the opinion that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would make a better leader than President Zuma.
"Ahead of the 52nd conference in 2007, Comrade Kader nominated Cyril Ramaphosa for President. He never made any secret about the fact that the election of Jacob Zuma would set back both the ANC and country, and we needed to exercise caution."