2 weeks Ago By Sibahle Motha
Home | Govt must root out corruption in Gordhan’s memory: Ramokgopa ANC Treasurer- General Dr Gwen Ramokgopa says in memory of the late Minister Pravin Gordhan, government must root out corruption. ANC supporters filled the Johannesburg City Hall on Tuesday to honour the late Public Enterprises Minister, following his passing last Friday. Gordhan, who was diagnosed with cancer, passed away at the age of 75, surrounded by family, friends and comrades.
The late Gordhan has been hailed as one of the few public officials, who stood against corruption. This according to ANC officials, who paid tribute to the fallen stalwart. Ramokgopa urged officials to emulate Gordhan’s example in fighting corruption.
“If there is something that we should come out of here rendering is that corruption is like a cancer. If we don’t deal with it decisively, if we don’t remove it with its roots in our society, then our revolution is at risk. And this is the message that comrade PG wants to leave us with,” says Ramokgopa This while, the South African Communist Party, which Gordhan was associated with in the 1970s praised him for his work at the South African Revenue Services (SARS).
Gordhan was at the helm of SARS for a decade. SACP national spokesperson, Alex Mashilo says Gordhan took criminals’ head on. “When you are there, you are dealing with big thugs.
You are dealing with big criminals. He never disappointed. He handled the task very very well.
These cigarette smugglers who were smuggling cigarettes, he dealt with them head on. Until they sponsored certain political parties which rose against the ANC.” The ANC in Gauteng was also dealt a huge blow after the 29 May elections, which saw the party drop to just 35% while only attaining 40% nationally.
ANC Gauteng chairperson Panyaza Lesufi is certain the party will win its majority back in the next general elections. ” We will rebuild the ANC. We will bring back the ANC that will defend our people.
We will not leave this movement because we are out of power. We will not leave this movement because our people have not yet voted for us. Actually, we are re-energized.
We are taken by the spirit of Oliver Tambo, the spirit of Chris Hani, the spirit of Nelson Mandela to bring back the African National Congress.” Friends of Gordhan also shared fond memories of the late former Public Enterprises Minister. Poet and educator Barbara Masekela described him as intelligent and forthright, while struggle veteran Amos Masondo remembered Gordhan as headstrong.
“For his forthrightness, his intelligence, his persistence and just in general being unafraid to speak truth. And I think particularly um for many of us who had to grow up outside the country. He represents the spirit of not giving up.
” “Everybody knows that dogs bark at a moving vehicle. So there have been lots of criticism that they’ve made over a period. But most of it can be reduced to an attempt by those who were in support of corruption and corrupt practices, basically reacting and seeking to justify their negative actions.
As I was saying, I mean, Pravin is truly a hero of our struggle, in my view. And I think that he’s done a lot.” Gordhan will be laid to rest on Thursday in Durban.
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