If Ramaphosa is innocent he should not resign

2 December 2022

President Cyril Ramaphosa should not contemplate, nor be bullied into, resigning on the basis of the untested findings of the Independent Panel in respect of cash stolen from his farm.
 
If reports are to be believed, Ramaphosa was on the verge of resigning yesterday, and is still contemplating doing so. That would be premature.
 
Although it would set a new, admirable and extremely high standard for the principles of accountability, if the President is not guilty of any crimes, as he has strenuously averred, he should remain at his desk and clear his name. That would be in the best interests of the country.
 
Remaining in his seat will precipitate a feeding frenzy among his enemies, inside and outside the ruling party, but if he were simply to walk away now it would plunge the country into a leadership crisis with potentially devastating short-term stability and socio-economic impacts.
 
The Independent Panel did not find Ramaphosa guilty of anything. Rather, the panel, conducting a preliminary assessment, and on its own version made its recommendations with limited facts at its disposal. It recommended that the President had a prima facie case to answer. 
 
Ramaphosa must have the opportunity to present his case, first in the parliamentary impeachment process and then potentially in court.
 
The country’s political leadership and economic direction cannot be dictated by opportunism, skullduggery, unproven allegations and Stalingrad legal defence strategies.
 
President Ramaphosa’s presidency was meant to usher in a period of State renewal and, while there were signs of relapse in the looting of the country’s Covid resources under his watch, we must acknowledge that some progress has been made in institutional re-capacitation and accountability.
 
Ironically, this re-capacitation and accountability will now face a fundamental test of its integrity in respect of Ramaphosa’s own alleged nefarious activities.
 
Whether he survives the ruling party’s elective conference or not, Ramaphosa’s position at a time of massive socio-economic strain and political contestation in the country is too important to be determined by baying hyenas at his door.
 
Rather, if he has broken any laws, he must face the legal and Constitutional consequences.
 
One thing is for sure: The ANC is increasingly proving itself incapable of renewal and self-improvement. It has become so bogged down in factionalism that it has abandoned the ideals of advancing the best interests of South Africa and its people. 

As the President contemplates what is in the best interests of the country and the people, he must include in his thinking the destabilization a premature resignation would cause, and the social and economic impacts of his decision.
 
In the build-up to the 2024 National Election, as looters and criminals attempt to reclaim their grip on power, good people will need to rise up and support public representatives and parties offering ethical leadership, justice, hope and the rule of law.

Issued by Brett Herron, Secretary-General & Member of Parliament, GOOD