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ANC Policy Chief Jeff Radebe
PHOTO: Lindile Mbonts / Daily Sun
- ANC has published its discussion paper for the national general council.
- The party has again called for lifestyle audits of all members.
- ANC policy chief Jeff Radebe admitted that the party had not implemented some of its resolutions due to lack of capacity.
The ANC has admitted not having implemented some of its resolutions, including implementing lifestyle audits of its leaders, and has suggested that “integrity checks” be carried out on all those who want to achieve leadership positions in the party.
This is according to an ANC discussion paper for its mid-term conference, the National General Council (NGC), planned for next year. The document was published on Friday.
Lifestyle audits have long been debated at the ANC and the matter was aired at its last conference in 2017.
However, the party faces a litany of allegations of corruption in its leadership structures, and leaders accused of corruption refuse to step aside despite a resolution on the matter.
“Going forward, this should include pre-conference ‘integrity checks’ for everyone in leadership positions. Through a universally trusted mechanism, conduct lifestyle audits and checks of integrity starting with the national ones and in accordance with their purposes and objectives, “says the discussion document.
In 2016, then-Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe said that lifestyle audits would go a long way toward fighting corruption.
The ANC policy committee’s proposal bears similarities to the resolutions adopted in the last ANC NGC of 2015.
READ | Lifestyle audit framework to be ready in October – Ramaphosa
In his closing speech at that NGC, former President Jacob Zuma said the government should conduct lifestyle audits of all employees of the government and its related entities. He said investigative processes should be sped up with a single investigative agency to examine all strategically located public officials and those who decline promotions, although it does come with an improved compensation package.
The ANC, according to its own account, has not implemented this resolution.
At a press conference, ANC policy chief Jeff Radebe said implementation was slow. He said that was the reason why the government established the planning, monitoring and evaluation department to deal with implementation.
He said:
“I think that process is still maturing within the government. The other weakness is here at Luthuli House where, due to lack of resources, we have not yet developed a capacity from the ANC perspective to monitor the implementation of our resolutions, especially those who are in government. ”
He said it was clear that Luthuli House needed more capacity.
Recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also come under fire for moving at a snail’s pace to produce guidelines on lifestyle audits for his cabinet ministers. He recently said the guidelines would be finalized in March 2021, three years after he promised to conduct lifestyle audits on his executive.
ANC undersecretary general Jesse Duarte told reporters that the next meeting of the national executive committee will discuss when it will hold its midterm conference. The ANC does not rule out a hybrid or virtual conference, he said.
In the document, the party said that as part of its plan to implement a new digital membership system, the ANC plans to launch a campaign for every ANC member to reapply for membership.
This will include a background screening mechanism for all members, a police clearance certificate, and the acceptance that any false statement on any criteria would lead to membership rejection or termination.
‘Problem of bureaucracy in government’
The party said it will strengthen the role of the integrity commission in accordance with the resolutions of the 2017 conference and ensure its recommendations are respected.
While Radebe praised the ANC for implementing some of its resolutions and making progress in education, health and social services, he said that economic transformation was one of the areas that needed attention.
“Personally, I have not yet experienced government employees who refuse or are reluctant to implement ANC resolutions. It is just the problem of bureaucracy in government and the long deadlines to implement decisions.”
The ANC has also identified that the capacity and legitimacy of the state has been weakened by deeply entrenched corrupt practices by employees, public officials, and the private sector, as well as the arrogance of some in leadership positions.
The document says:
“The Covid-19 pandemic put state capacity and government efficiency to the test. It also outlined opportunities to increase our capacity to undertake development efforts and expose weaknesses. Although progress was made to expand basic services and reduce poverty, the distribution of income, property, management and assets still reflect apartheid, colonialism and patriarchy. ”
The document also suggests that the Covid-19 economic recovery plan can provide an opportunity for a sustainable economic future and help overcome the failures of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
The match has also addressed strengthening its embattled youth league. He noted the need to create a more attractive ANC for young people and the problems they face.
The document adds that the ANC’s concept of post-apartheid identity also needs to be addressed, given the current political landscape.
“The task after reinventing the ANC is to take a new look at the ANC and how it relates to society in general. The ANCYL must be in contact with young people and their struggles, be it around education, employment, access to services, childcare, support for substance abuse and GBV survivors, access to grants, loans and opportunities. It is this ANC that can and will recapture the imagination of young people. “
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