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ROAD TO 2024

Desperately seeking voters – NEC rolls out ANC campaign that targets Eskom and corruption

The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has met to discuss and map out six mechanisms which they will be rolling out to win back the confidence of citizens.  
Desperately seeking voters – NEC rolls out ANC campaign that targets Eskom and corruption Voters cast their votes in ward 14 in the Polokwane municipality in a by election on Wednesday, 11 November 2020. Photo: Lucas Ledswaba/Mukurukuru Media
Queenin Masuabi
By Queenin Masuabi
5 Mar 2023
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As the 2024 general election draws closer, the ANC is looking to redeem itself with voters and key among the issues which the ANC wants to deal with is the load shedding crisis. 

The party this weekend deployed NEC members to all provinces to deliver a message to its regional structures which sets out the ANC’s view that there be an investigation into criminals, cartels and saboteurs who have undermined Eskom energy production. 

In an NEC document seen by Daily Maverick regarding their six-point strategy discussed at a meeting on the evening of Thursday 2 March, the party’s messaging is centred on condemning graft at the power utility.

The six points strategy involves:

  • Fix loadshedding and electricity crisis,
  • Focus on service delivery,
  • Grow jobs and the economy through investment and small business support,
  • Deal with crime and corruption,
  • Deepen renewal of the ANC and
  • Build a better world and Africa.

“There can be no room for corruption in procurement of spare parts, diesel, coal, and other supplies … all of these interrupt electricity generation. Government will work fast to get any available extra energy onto the grid as soon as possible. This includes new and surplus renewable energy, gas, diesel and anything else that can provide solutions. We will also invest in new transmission capacity so the grid can accommodate all available new generation of electricity,” the document reads.

Read more in Daily Maverick here: André de Ruyter, ANC and the end of Eskom as we know it

The allegations of crime and corruption stem from a probe which was carried out by private investigators commissioned by former Eskom Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) André De Ruyter  as a means to get to the bottom of the power utility’s failures. 

Daily Maverick’s Kevin Bloom wrote an article last week about the criminal network which has been allegedly linked to the deteriorating state of Eskom.  

In addition to this De Ruyter said the governing party is corrupt. This was during an interview with journalist Annika Larsen on eTV’s ‘My Guest Tonight’ last month. 

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The ANC is adamant that it will take a “moral position” if there are any  allegations of crime or corruption, and that it wants to protect the people and the resources of the state.

“We have to take the lead and deal with crime and corruption strongly and firmly so we build a culture of zero tolerance and break the stranglehold of crime, gangs and cartels on communities and government. 

“All leaders to be active in community policing forums and anti-crime education and local campaigns. Inside the ANC we have to safeguard the resources of the state and make sure every cent is spent wisely and that we get value for money,” it reads.

Read more in Daily Maverick here: amid-political-posturing-over-eskom-corruption-claims-the-public-record-shows-complaints-laid-actions-taken

The party further supports the idea of campaigning for energy-saving mechanisms wherever possible, and fighting against illegal connections and copper cable theft.

Visit Daily Maverick's home page for more news, analysis and investigations

ANC threatens De Ruyter with legal action

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Following allegations which De Ruyter made in his eTV interview earlier in February the party has sent a letter of demand to the former Eskom CEO threatening to refer him to the Hawks for intentionally withholding evidence of criminal conduct.  

The letter of demand dated 28 February 2023 says De Ruyter should retract utterances made about the ANC within 7 days of receiving the letter.

“Mr De Ruyter is also required to explain why he should not be referred to the Hawks in terms of section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 for intentionally withholding ‘evidence’ of criminal conduct, while he held a position of authority at Eskom. In this regard, our client reserves the right to lay charges against Mr de Ruyter for failing to comply with his legal obligation,” the letter reads.

The ANC wants De Ruyter to also apologise for his utterances as it impugns the party’s reputation. 

“It is our client’s contention that the utterances of Mr De Ruyter are false, defamatory, infringe on our client’s constitutional right to its good name and reputation and causes its reputation to be impaired. Moreover, our client contends that the said utterance was made with the intention to harm its good name and reputation and status as the governing party in South Africa, alternatively the utterance was made recklessly and with no regard to the consequences of Mr De Ruyter’s actions,” the letter reads.

In the interview, Larsen asks De Ruyter if Eskom is a “feeding trough” for the ANC, to which he replies, “the evidence suggests that it is”.

He goes on to say: “I expressed my concern to a senior government minister about attempts, in my view, to water down governance around the $8.5-billion … the response was essentially, ‘you know, you have to be pragmatic; in order to pursue the greater good, you have to enable some people too to eat a little bit’.” 

ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula during the ANC 101 Eastern Cape provincial celebrations in Mcbright on 22 January 2023. (Photo: Tembile Sgqolana)
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula during the ANC 101 Eastern Cape provincial celebrations in Mcbright on 22 January 2023. (Photo: Tembile Sgqolana)

Since this interview, De Ruyter has received backlash from the ANC and its alliance partners. Party secretary general Fikile Mbalula led the charge against him, followed by SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila.

Mbalula initially said that the party would be taking legal action against De Ruyter, but only the letter of demand was sent to the former Eskom CEO. DM

Comments (8)

Kanu Sukha Mar 5, 2023, 01:42 PM

That so called 'letter of demand' ... is not worth the paper it is written on ! Tell the ANC (and its sycophant acolytes) to wipe its behind with it !

Beyond Fedup Mar 5, 2023, 02:33 PM

De Ruyter must apologise for what?? For telling the truth, calling it like it is and exposing the ANC for what it is - corrupt to the core, arrogant, incompetent, uncaring, predatory, criminal and treasonous. The abominable and vile ANC needs to apologise to the nation for its betrayal and gross theft over all these years. A huge amount of humility and contrition is required and long overdue instead of passing the buck and kicking the can down the road. It is never them or their fault, but we all know better.

Richard Bryant Mar 5, 2023, 03:16 PM

It’s all blah blah blah. What is a moral position when they are shaking hands with russian terrorists? There’s no difference between the ANCs lack of interest regarding the intimidation of children in Khayelitsha by the taxi mafia and their mate putin who is behind a process of ‘denazifying’ Ukrainian children having them taken away from their parents and adopted into with russian families. It’s cold, heartless and totally amoral. Birds of a feather.

Richard Bryant Mar 5, 2023, 03:23 PM

What makes the ANC so sure that De Ruyter has not filed a section 34 report with the police? Once such a report has been filed, you cannot be held criminally liable for not doing so. One doesn’t need evidence to submit such a report. Just a suspicion. Then, apparently, it’s over to the police to come up with the evidence. But of course we know. That will be the end of it.

Carol Green Mar 5, 2023, 04:06 PM

Those six points are the same as what we've heard repeatedly over the years. And they've only got worse over the past 15 years. Does anyone serious believe the ANC can make a dent in any of it, as critical as they are?

William Kelly Mar 5, 2023, 07:59 PM

What amazes me is that the cANCer thinks that there is anyone left who will believe this nonsense they spew forth. What depresses me is realising that there are.

Terry Pearse Mar 5, 2023, 10:38 PM

The ANC’s hypocrisy knows no bounds; the possibility that it’s the ANC who is a primary beneficiary of the looted R1 000 000 000/month from Escom, is high and will explain why its earlier financial woes have dissipated. Aren’t the two unnamed cabinet ministers mentioned by De Ruyter, merely the managers?

William Dryden Mar 6, 2023, 09:44 AM

Promises Promises, that's all the ANC every election day have said and done nothing. When Ramaphosa was elected after Zuma resignation, he promised to carry out a life style audit on all ministers etc. We have heard nothing up to date, meanwhile all the exotic cars and bling have been either sold or hidden under someone else's name so it cannot be traced. Note the comment from De Ruyter that a car dealership keeps all the exotic cars of ministers which have been paid for cash, but not in the Ministers name, the dealership then delivers the vehicles to the Ministers on request so the can parade around in them like stuffed peacock's.