SA on the brink of becoming a mafia state, says #SACC

The establishment of the panel was triggered by Mcebisi Jonas allegations in 2016 that he was offered cash by the controversial Gupta family to accept the post of finance minister. File picture: Simone Kley/Independent Media

The establishment of the panel was triggered by Mcebisi Jonas allegations in 2016 that he was offered cash by the controversial Gupta family to accept the post of finance minister. File picture: Simone Kley/Independent Media

Published May 18, 2017

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Johannesburg – Rampant corruption driven by efforts to capture all apparatus of the State and a Cabinet with "a diminishing integrity" are pushing South Africa to the brink of becoming a mafia state, with no point of return, the SA Council of Churches (SACC) said on Thursday.

The organisation released its report of the Unburdening Panel at the iconic Regina Mundi church in Soweto.

The report is a consolidation of information received from corruption whistle-blowers opting not approach authorities due to fear of victimisation.

The establishment of the panel was triggered by former finance deputy minister Mcebisi Jonas allegations in 2016 that he was offered cash by the controversial Gupta family to accept the post of finance minister.

The family has close ties President Jacob Zuma. The SACC general-secretary Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana said the African National Congress (ANC) government has lost "the moral radar" that should charter its Batho Pele policy.

"South Africa may be inches away from a mafia state from which there could be no return ... a recipe for a failed state. We urge the ANC to examine itself, find a way ... and act as this has implications for it and its government."

Mpumlwana said South Africa was in a desperate need of divine intervention. "What is patently clear is we are in desperate need of divine intervention ... and I hear this all the time ... we need prayers and action, we need to kneel and pray and get up to work on reversing the national hurdle of mis-governing and chaos."

From the report, Mpumlwana detailed allegations of state capture, corruption in government and state owned enterprises. Most of the information Mpumlwana detailed has been in the public domain for some time.

He said the panel heard from "terrified people" who did not want to come out in the public as they feared their lives would be in danger. They heard about cases from people in municipal and provincial levels who were pressured to divert public funds "inappropriately" to certain activities that had nothing to do with the purpose of the budget, said Mpumlwana.

Corruption and the seeming inability of government to adhere to and respect court outcomes provided a fertile ground for crime and violence against women and children to fester, he added.

The panel, set up in April last year, was a service to communities who needed to share information in a safe space, and where discretion and anonymity were guaranteed.

"The panel offered a safe space for any person who may wish to relieve himself or herself of the burden caused by anyone, company, or a person in authority who you could not say no to. This was a pastoral process for the people, not an investigation," explained Mpumlwana.

"The information compiled, as per the wishes of those who disclosed it, would be used in the church's advancement of democracy and advocacy, made public for South Africa to be aware of what was going on and be given to a constitutional body such as the Public Protector and the Human Rights Commission.

"In fact, we approached the ANC that we would be doing this, and the general-secretary [Gwede Mantashe] said they would be happy to receive the anonymously shared information."

Some of those who disclosed to the panel also forwarded information to the Public Protector, whose accounts are part of damning State of Capture report compiled by Advocate Thuli Madonsela before her tenure ended last year.

The Public Protector report implicated President Jacob Zuma and Eskom's Brian Molefe over their possibly inappropriate ties to the controversial Gupta family. Zuma has since indicated that he is taking the report on judicial review.

The SACC said churches of different denominations will continue to have national prayer sessions. The next one is scheduled for next week.

"Ascension Day is also Africa Day this year, we should add the Africa dimension to our prayers for our continent, especially given the way we have behaved towards nationals from other African countries," said Mpumlwana.

"In addition, we appeal for national prayer inter-denominational gatherings from 2pm on the Pentecost Sunday, to gather together regardless of our tradition and pray for the healing of our land."

Public figures at the briefing included Essop Pahad, former government spokesman Themba Maseko, former finance minister Pravin Gordhan, former Hawks boss Anwa Dramat, ANC veteran Barbara Masekela and former Independent Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) chairwoman Brigalia Bam.

African News Agency

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