President Cyril Ramaphosa (right) congratulates Dina Pule following her appointment to Cabinet as Minister of Social Development on July 1. Many South Africans will conclude that the ANC has once again prioritised political allegiance over ethical renewal in the case of Pule's return, says the writer.
Dr Xolisile Ngumbela
Not only is Dina Pule's selection as Minister of Social Development unexpected, but it is also politically volatile. Any last hope that the ANC's widely reported revitalisation drive is about reestablishing moral leadership has been dashed.
Rather, it strengthens the increasing belief that political rehabilitation is inevitable while accountability is just temporary within the ANC. South Africans have a right to ask a challenging question: Has the ANC given up on ethical renewal in favour of shielding its political insiders if a leader who was previously found by Parliament to have violated the Executive Ethics Code can return to one of the nation's most socially significant Cabinet portfolios?
After the disastrous years of corruption and state control, the ANC has been speaking fervently for years about regeneration, clean governance, and restoring public trust. However, appointments like this one present a very different picture. They contend that ethical controversy is now only an interruption rather than a barrier to high rank in the ANC. Political survival is more important than political integrity.
