President Cyril Ramaphosa testifying at the Zondo Commission. Amidst the ongoing Madlanga Commission, civil society organisations are calling for Ramaphosa to testify live. His voice will be crucial if we are to receive a complete report from the Madlanga Commission.
It’s amazing how time flies in beautiful Mzansi – even when we aren’t exactly having fun. And with the goings on at the Madlanga Commission, time seems to be hurtling at the speed of light.
Remember, not so long ago, fellow South Africans, how we sat glued to our TV screens watching President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Zondo Commission spilling the beans – candidly admitting that grand corruption took place under his party’s watch?
Now some civil society organisations are calling for a repeat of history. They want our Number 1 to be called to testify live again in the real McCoy commission underway in Pretoria. I can’t, and I don’t think anyone can, argue against this call. Indeed, the great work that the no-holds-barred commission is doing will seem incomplete without the president’s voice. His submission of statements will just not be good enough.
Our democracy is structured such that the president is all-powerful and central to everything. Where he/she is not directly involved or not kept in the loop, he/she can demand reports and answers from all around and take real, almost unhindered action. He/she can appoint and disappoint people in powerful positions and explain later.
