Member of the ANC Political Education Sub-Committee, Nathi Mthethwa, says the African National Congress has been frank to its members about the dangers of corruption within the party.
Mthethwa was speaking at a media briefing on the Balance of Forces at the ANC National General Council at Gallagher Estate in Midrand on Saturday.
He says the NGC is being used to remind members that the party “needs to live by its values”.
Mthethwa says the ANC needs to fight corruption both as a reality and perception within the party.
He was quick to point out: “We are in power because people want us to be in power.”
But, he also warns that “it’s no fairy tale to lose power after 27 years”, adding that it has happened before.
“When you speak corruption, the perception is more effective than real corruption,” says Mthethwa.
He says the perception that the ruling party is plagued with corruption poses a danger to its leadership.
In further trying to communicate the party’s commitment to addressing corruption and other challenges they are facing, Mthethwa says: “We are here to tell our members, it’s in our hands to effect change, from our structures and our allies.”
He says prior 1994, “You had no individuals to refer to as corrupt, but the entire system was corrupt.”
“You’ll remember the sunset clause which we entered into in the negotiations. One of the things it emphasised is the retaining of some within the state…you are inheriting this systemic corrupt state as it were. In the process of introducing a new ethos and new way of life you are going to be tripped and those who are corruptible are going to be corrupted by the system itself,” says Mthethwa.
He also used the press briefing to also address on other issues. He says the African block is aware of the potential economic growth possibilities, and thus they plan to utilise them maximally.
According to Mthethwa, they are aware of the arrogance of the US and others to impose themselves, something they feel has to be dealt with.
Mthethwa says the ANC inherited some of the corruption problems faced today from the pre-democratic government.
Watch the press briefing on the Balance of Forces by Nathi Mthethwa below.
– By Tshepo Tsheole and Matiba Sibanyoni
