Three instances must suffice for one column to illustrate that the country’s constitutional democracy is in the intensive care unit.
If, as it is suggested that the problem is but a few rotten apples in the ANC basket, then surely a comprehensive lifestyle audit of all office-bearers of political parties and public representatives would be no more than a trifling inconvenience for the vast majority, including those who oppose the steps proposed by the president.
One may add that the consensus against corruption is a necessary requirement to end the scourge, but a competent NPA is a further key consideration. That senior members of the NPA, who were responsible for a range of disgraceful actions including the charging of Pravin Gordhan on less then a fig leaf of legal justification, are still in office is in and of itself testimony to the lack of progress in the reconstruction of the NPA.
And finally, and most depressing of all, is the death of 16-year-old Nathaniel Julies, allegedly shot by police in Eldorado Park. What kind of country kills a 16-year-old child suffering from Down Syndrome?