Johannesburg - Former finance minister Trevor Manuel has accused President Jacob Zuma of being “corrupt and incapable” of leading the country. He also said that some of Zuma’s Cabinet ministers don’t do their jobs.
Manuel, in what has been one of his frankest public comments on the Zuma administration, said during a Gordon Institute of Business Science event in Joburg this week that there was a pure lack of accountability within Cabinet.
“When you look around the world today, it seems to be okay for people to get away with what they try to get away with, starting with our own president – he is corrupt and has demonstrated himself as incapable of leading this nation,” Manuel said.
Flanked by AngloGold Ashanti chairperson Sipho Pityana and Nedbank CEO Mike Brown as panellists, Manuel said the instances of competent people being replaced with incompetent people, who owe gratitude before they even start, is another phenomenon that has led to the collapse of the system of accountability within government.
Manuel said there were ministers who didn’t do their jobs, but they get away with it because there is no accountability.
“Corruption is not just an ethical misdemeanour, it’s a violation of the law.” Manuel added that, during his days as minister, members of Cabinet knew that they could be called to explain themselves and account for their actions at any time.
Manuel said political party funding was another factor that should be handled with care and transparency.
During the question-and-answer session, Manuel was asked to comment on his political aspirations, but declined to comment. He had previously said he would not avail himself for a government position unless it was in an advisory capacity.
Manuel said the business community had a duty to call an end to what was happening in the country.
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