S African Ramaphosa admits ANC “mistakes” ahead of vaccination panel Corruption News

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that the ruling African National Congress could do more to stop the state’s corruption and meet its expectations of “accountability”.

Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa and leader of the African National Congress (ANC), said the country’s governing party could do more to stop state corruption at the behest of predecessor Jacob Zuma.

In a highly anticipated appearance before a jury examining Zuma’s allegations of corruption and fraud, Ramaphosa said on Wednesday that the graft had “eroded” its constitutional values ​​and “weakened the rule of law.”

“We all recognize that the organization could and should do more to prevent the misuse of resources and the resources that defined the time to seize the state,” Ramaphosa, who was vice president of Zumaia from 2014 to 2018, told the jury.

“The ANC admits it has made mistakes,” he said. “He had shortcomings in meeting the expectations of the people of South Africa in terms of fulfilling his responsibility.”

The “capture of the state” investigation is investigating allegations of corruption that Zuma has been pursuing for nine years, including allowing Zuma’s businessmen (brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta brothers) to influence politics and gain government contract profits.

Zumak and Gupta have repeatedly denied allegations against them.

Ramaphosa, the first president to testify in that poll, emerged as the current leader of his ANC, the party that has ruled South Africa since the end of white minority rule in 1994.

Dozens of ministers and former ministers, elected officials, businessmen and senior officials have appeared before the committee.

Ramaphosa, who took over Zuma in 2018 and won the presidential election the following year, admitted that he had been aware of the atrocities and patronage committed in the ANC state and its ranks over the years.

“The state capture took place as a governing party,” he said.

“It involved some members and leaders of our organization and found fertile ground in the divisions, weaknesses and trends that have developed in our organization since 1994,” Ramaphosa said.

Zuma has testified before the jury only once, in 2019, before taking a walk. He has since repeatedly refused to testify, denouncing political interference.

Al Jazeera’s Fahmida, Miller reported from Johannesburg, said “many South Africans want responsibility and are not sure they will get it from the testimony of the chairman of the committee.

“In recent months, former President Jacob Zuma has refused to return to the commission, saying it was a witch hunt, reprimanding him and targeting the ANC, and there are many ANC members and supporters who feel the same way.” Miller said.

The president is expected to continue to testify on Thursday, after which he will return to the polls in May as head of state.

“Many will be looking to see if they understand how South Africa has come this far and whether this will be a PR exercise for the president. If South Africans go to the local elections and the ANC next year, he is looking for votes,” Miller said.

Opposition parties held a rally outside the building in Johannesburg and participants said Ramaphosa was to blame for some of the blame.

“Ramaphosa was part of the decision. He was the country’s vice president when the money disappeared, “said COPE lawmaker William Madisha.” The ANC must return what belongs to the people. “