It also comes as no surprise to find the name of Sipho Ngwema, Shilowa loyalist and spokesperson, among those who rank high on the list of BEE moguls who raked in millions from massive construction projects, including World Cup stadiums, KwaZulu-Natal's King Shaka airport, the Gautrain and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Johannesburg.
The Sunday Independent report (13 March 2011) places Ngwema comfortably alongside high ranking politicians, including Tokyo Sexwale, former Directors-General of Home Affairs Mavuso Msimang and Trade and Industry, Bahle Sibisi.
Shilowa's awarding, through Lolo Mashiane, of a spurious tender to loyalist Malusi Booi also attests to the determination of the Shilowa Express to be parallel line of the ANC Gravy Train. Continued investigations into the financial mismanagement and maladministration of COPE's parliamentary allowance under the watch of Shilowa and Mashiane cement the perception that they, like their ANC counterparts, have nothing but contempt for financial accountability, transparency and the interests and needs of the South African public.
To this end COPE yet again in this Local Government Election campaign calls for the replacement of BEE with GBEE (Grassroots Black Economic Empowerment) so that the benefits of empowerment will flow to the people in the wards. We also remain committed to stamping out the practice of nepotism where people in political office continue to abuse their positions to economically benefit their children, family members, and close friends to the exclusion of all others.
This parasitic Crony State that is becoming fast entrenched in the politics of the day is unsustainable and an insult to all South Africans, the majority of which continue to live in poverty.
As Moeletsi Mbeki rightly points out, the ANC has identified what its leaders and supporters wanted and is using South Africa's strengths to satisfy the short-term consumption demands of its supporters: the very essence of BEE under the ANC.
Mbeki also points out the devastating socio-economic repercussions of this is the creation of a political class dependent on big business contemptuous of the poor; an anti-entrepreunerial culture premised on entitlement; and the promotion of incompetence and corruption in the public sector by using ruling party allegiance and connections as the criteria for entry and promotion in the public service, instead of having tough public service entry examinations.
BEE has in effect crated a buffer group among the black political class as an ally of big business to use its new found power as controllers of the government to protect the assets of big business, while ignoring the desperate plight of ordinary South African men and women.
This reality and appalling mentality of the passengers on the ANC Gravy Train and Shilowa Express poses one of the greatest obstacles to real progress and real change for those who need it most!
COPE therefore proclaims that "the time for change is now!" The stranglehold of the well-connected over the redistribution of material wealth must end to truly ensure a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it!
Statement issued by Phillip Dexter, MP, COPE Head of Communications, March 14 2011
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