24 November 2019
The arrest by the Hawks this week of former intelligence minister and chairman of parliament’s home affairs portfolio committee Bongani Bongo on allegations of corruption along with 10 others is a small step in the right direction.
It is common cause that the mere arrest does not constitute proven guilt on the part of the former minister and his co-accused in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, who stand to answer allegations of corruption involving the non-delivery of ventilated toilets in Amathole district municipality. The suspects were paid R286-million of an earmarked R600-million.
Bongo stands accused of allegedly offering a bribe to an evidence leader in the portfolio committee on public enterprises inquiry into Eskom in 2017. His return to parliament and subsequent appointment to lead a portfolio committee correctly raised eyebrows.
The important task – to prove that he is indeed guilty as charged – must now get under way. We have no reason to believe that both the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority will not be fair to him. The criminal justice system, which last week showed us that it’s possible to process Uyinene Mrwetyana’s rape trial, conviction and sentencing in three months, must ensure Bongo is tried as expeditiously as it is possible. If he’s innocent, the cloud around him must be removed quickly through swift court action. Otherwise, he must join those who are like-minded behind bars, at speed too.
It is in the interest of justice and national stability that we avoid having too many politicians whose cases are, like that of former president Jacob Zuma, pending for years without being finalised.
The arrest will send a positive message that there are consequences even for the high and mighty.
Third time lucky for Under-23s?
South Africa has qualified for the third appearance at the Olympic football finals to be held in Tokyo, Japan, next year.
Who can forget the nostalgia of the first team to take part in the Olympics soccer tournament in Sydney, Australia, in 2000, when South Africa defeated their Brazilian counterparts 3-1 in the group stage.
Unfortunately, that historic win did not translate into climbing the medals podium for either gold, silver or bronze.
Three years ago, Team SA was in Rio, Brazil, for their second stint at the Games. Even in South America, we failed to get out of the starting blocks, bowing out after the first round.
It could be third time lucky for part-time national Under-23 coach David Notoane, who doubles up as the Mamelodi Sundowns reserve team coach.
It will be another club versus country controversy as the coach will want his team selected at a crucial time, July 22-August 8, when the league is kicking off.
We hope for sanity to prevail and for a compromise to be reached as clubs are not bigger than the country.
