Corruption is history - Vavi

2009-01-10 12:49

East London - Rampant cronyism, corruption and nepotism in government will soon be a thing of the past, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Saturday. "Mediocrity, inefficiency, nepotism, cronyism and corruption belong to the past. Those found guilty of all these practises must be shown the door," he said. Speaking during the launch of the African National Congress (ANC) election manifesto in the Eastern Cape on Saturday, Vavi said those who would be found guilty of corruption and nepotism would "face the music".

Vavi said, Cosatu, the partner in the ANC-led Tripartite alliance, had no doubt that voters would return the ANC to power with an even more significant victory. He added that days when leaders were appointed into important positions only on the basis of their membership of a dominant faction should cease. "The elected leadership should also not forget that they serve at the behest of the people and shall be removed if they stray from the mandate," said Vavi. He said Cosatu would work hard to ensure an overall victory of the ANC in the forthcoming general elections. "For nearly 15 years, the ANC has been leading and a ruling party. Its record speaks for itself," he said.

After a broadcast of a message from former president and anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela, party leader Jacob Zuma will set out the party's manifesto for the election, which is expected in the first half of the year.

But this time around the ANC, which since the end of apartheid in 1994 had enjoyed a massive majority, faces a challenge from the Congress of The People (Cope), set up in December by disillusioned former ANC activists.

ANC leader Jacob Zuma acknowledged as much in a speech to supporters at a gala dinner on Friday evening in East London marking the party's 97th anniversary.

"We can expect this campaign to be robust and interesting," said Zuma, while describing his party's election manifesto as "the product of 15 years of experience".

The front-runner

Zuma is nevertheless seen as the front-runner for the presidency after having won control of the ANC from political rival Thabo Mbeki.

Speaking on Saturday SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande said the SACP would work tirelessly to ensure ANC victory during the elections this year.

He said the SACP was happy that the ANC's manifesto talked about prioritisation of education, including free education for the poor up until the first qualification at tertiary level. - AFP/Sapa

- News24