Cape Town – Former president FW on De Klerk on Thursday
called for the ANC to put an end to “state capture”.
“I call today on the many decent members and leaders of the
ANC, on the moderate and well-meaning people of the ANC, to stand up on the
principles on which their movement was founded and to take the lead on putting
an end to state capture and restoring a system of constitutional government
that is open, governable and responsible,” he said at a Cape Town Press Club
lunch.
A day before his 80th birthday, he called on all South
Africans to say a “resounding no to current attempts by Zuma and his supporters
to undermine constitutional democracies”.
“The time has come to draw a line in the sand to say: Up to
here and not further.”
De Klerk said the constitutional democracy that citizens
established 22 years ago, after many years of division and conflict, was in
serious crisis.
“President Zuma and his faction within the ANC are
threatening the future of our democracy by seizing control of state
institutions, primarily for the promotion of their own personal and political
agendas.”
These included the National Prosecuting Authority, the
Hawks, and branches of security establishments.
De Klerk alleged this “faction” was using these institutions
to prosecute and intimidate opponents inside and outside the ANC.
They wanted control of the finance ministry and the
treasury, the last obstacles in “their path of unfettered pursuit of personal
and political goals”.
“Under this regime, the floodgates of corruption have been
thrown wide open.”
Developments like these, and former finance minister
Nhlanhla Nene’s dismissal, were pushing the country towards a ratings
downgrade.
Asked if Zuma would “fall”, he said it was up to the ruling
party.
“It is up to the ANC to decide whether the ANC itself or the
country can any longer afford to have Mr Zuma in the presidency. They have the
capacity to make a change and bring about new leadership.”
