A group of civil society organisations (CSOs) has called for societal action against Covid-19-related corruption in South Africa.
This move was made when the delegation led by the South African Council of Churches (SACC) met with the National Officials of the African National Congress (ANC) led by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Development Diaries understands that the South African government is investigating reports of large-scale ‘looting’ of its $26 billion Covid-19 rescue package, which was launched to cushion the economic impact of the pandemic on struggling citizens.
The ruling ANC party has called a meeting of its national executive committee to probe theft of food parcels meant for the poor, and tenders for personal protective equipment (PPE) within its ranks.
Reacting to this development, the group of CSOs issued a ‘moral call’ to all who live in South Africa to become vigilant and active citizens and support the democratic project by rejecting corruption and unethical behaviour.
‘There comes a time when the moral depravity of some in positions of authority, and in the private sector, undermine the very notion of nationhood and the underlying value of public service’, the group said in an issued statement.
‘We are compelled to assert: this is not how we shall be known as a nation. We refuse to allow corrupt networks in different provinces to go about their criminal activity, trampling on the rights of honest and law-abiding people’.
The group called for transparency, accountability, and ethical governance and also challenged the ANC leadership, stating that the governing party’s leadership appears compromised within itself.
‘We would expect a party with its roots as a liberation movement to espouse and adhere to the highest ethical values and principles based on selfless service; a living conscience that frowns upon any tendency for its leaders and their families and relatives, to seek to benefit from the State that they voluntarily offer to serve’, the statement read.
Representatives of the SACC and five other organisations, comprising the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Foundation for Human Rights and the Council for the Advancement of South African Constitution (CASAC), attended the meeting, according to the statement.
Source: Nelson Mandela Foundation
Photo source: GovernmentZA
