Holomisa Blames Greed for SA’s Political Crisis [Sunday Times, 2005-12-11]

Publication: Sunday Times Issued: Date: 2005-12-11 Reporter: Ndivhuho Mafela

Holomisa Blames Greed for SA’s Political Crisis

Publication	Sunday Times
Date	2005-12-11
Reporter	Ndivhuho Mafela
Web Link	www.sundaytimes.co.za

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa has launched a scathing attack on the ruling ANC, saying the Jacob Zuma corruption case is only a “burst of a cancer of corruption that has long been scavenging the centre of South African politics”.

Holomisa told the UDM national congress held at Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha that “the achievements and successes attained in the 11 years of democracy have been overshadowed by corruption in government”.

He said: “It is greed and dishonesty that is lying at the heart of the political crisis facing South Africa today; from the Zuma saga to Oilgate, from failing municipalities to Travelgate. All of these, and countless others, are symptoms of the greed and dishonesty that now infects and motivates large sections of those in political power.”

Lashing out at supporters of former Deputy President Jacob Zuma, he said: “These loose cannons have shown little regard for the independence, integrity or dignity of vital institutions supporting democracy, and made a mockery of South Africa’s image.”

He said the “anti-corruption crusade” by President Thabo Mbeki had come too late because “those of us who have been campaigning against corruption for many years were labelled counter-revolutionaries ... and unpatriotic”.

With acknowledgements to Ndivhuho Mafela and Sunday Times.