Cosatu statement on ethics charges against ministers 20 - 03 - 06

 

COSATU statement on ethics charges against ministers

The Congress of South African Trade Unions notes with concern speculation in the media that 14 government ministers have failed to declare directorships in private companies and closed corporations. We call upon the Auditor General, Shauket Fakie, to make public his findings so that we can confirm whether or not our fears are justified.

For years now COSATU has been drawing the attention the pressing challenge facing our revolution - the temptation of leaders to embark in a race to get rich through whatever means possible and in the shortest period possible. More specifically we have expressed concern at the number of minister and senior civil servants who, directly or indirectly, own share in private businesses.

As COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said at the SACCAWU 8th National Congress in 2004: "Signs that corruption, consumerism and crass materialism are fast becoming the biggest challenge facing the movement are there for all to see. The idealism that inspired the demands of the Freedom Charter are in danger of being eroded and replaced by the new culture based on mentality that asks only, 'what is in it for me alone', and not what we can gain for our people.

Earlier in 2004, he addressed the same issue at the SACTWU Congress. He reminded delegates of the liberation movement's culture of solidarity, selflessness and putting our people first. "I am talking about the traditions of understanding that our individual concerns and sacrifices come second to the concerns of the masses of the people. I talk here about the deep culture of service to our people even at the expense of individual suffering."

He referred to earlier media stories suggesting that listed Members of Parliament did not disclose business interests in the register of members' interest, as required by the Parliamentary code of ethics. "Coming hot on the heels of the Parliamentary travel voucher scandal," he said, "this runs the serious risk of undermining the credibility of our parliament in the eyes of ordinary people. Unless Parliament and the ANC act proactively to deal with these matters, good and ethical MPs and other political leaders will be tainted with the same brush."

Exactly the same needs to be said now in respect of these latest allegations. We fully endorse President Thabo Mbeki's call on those who joined the ANC for material gains instead of serving our people to leave the movement.

As Zwelinzima Vavi told the SACTWU Congress: "The movement must conduct a broader investigation into how our political leaders are accumulating wealth" and he warned that "our universal slogan an injury to one is an injury to all would be replaced by capital's slogan an injury to one is the opportunity to the other!"