MANDY WIENER: Madlanga Inquiry reveals war between 'Hopedealers' and 'The Corrupt'

When then-Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter was allegedly poisoned in 2023, the late Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan commented to a news agency. He said that an intense battle was taking place ‘between those who want South Africa to work and thrive and those who want to corruptly enrich themselves’.

I have often referred to this statement because I think it is such an accurate portrayal of what is occurring every single day in this country – in law enforcement agencies, in parastatals, in state institutions, in municipalities, in the private sector and on the ground where citizens are working hard to keep the economy moving, running their own businesses and creating employment.

There are those individuals whom I often refer to as The Hopedealers, who are good civil servants, businesspeople, good cops and prosecutors, the judiciary, and investigative journalists, who are working tirelessly to ensure South Africa thrives.

These people often don’t get enough attention or appreciation.

Then some are purely in position to get rich, to grow their own personal wealth, to benefit from the state, to corruptly enrich themselves and to loot.

The Madlanga Commission hearings these past few weeks have been an insight into that battle and have put it on display for all to see.

Whilst it may be premature to cast individuals as good or evil, as it is not always so binary, the conduct of individuals has been indicative of where they may fall.

Former Ekurhuleni city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi’s spectacle of a performance on the stand was the personification of apathy. She was a caricature of the incompetent, disinterested public servant. Eye rolling, slouching, applying lipstick, and checking her phone during her testimony.

When evidence leader Adv Mahlape Sello SC pushed her for evidence, she had none. Her answers were dismissive. She went as far as to suggest she give her responses in writing through her lawyers because if she had to return to the witness stand, she would ‘get a stroke’.

Social media investigators have uncovered a video of Dr Mashazi’s expensive taste in clothing, wearing high-end labels and jewellery and watches that far exceed the salary of a civil servant.

Yet this wasthe person responsible for the running of the Ekhuruleni municipality.

Meanwhile, Adv Sello, the evidence leader, was an example of professional excellence. Astute, incisive, dignified throughout the difficult testimony. She came with evidence, documentation and referred the witness to records and invoices and affidavits.

Watching the exchange between the two women, I couldn’t help but think of Pravin Gordhan’s statement. The battle was playing out before our eyes.

We can be under no illusion that these battles are playing out in municipalities and metros, and other state institutions. As an example, just look at the murder of Mpho Mafole. He was the Chief Auditor for the Ekurhuleni Municipality who was assassinated shortly after submitting a report on irregularities concerning a R1.8 billion chemical toilets tender. The same municipality that is under scrutiny at the Madlanga Inquiry.

It is for this reason that we need to ensure that those trying to get the country to thrive are supported and strengthened.

This means better resourcing and fundingfor those institutions that defend democracy and act in the interests of the citizens. Operation Vulindlela, the collaboration between the private sector and National Treasury, is evidence of what is possible when this happens.

It’s why we should all really give a damn about who becomes the next National Director of Public Prosecutions. This is a crucial position for maintaining the rule of law in South Africa, and it should be of dire concern that the pool of eligible candidates on the shortlist is so shallow and tainted.

It’s also why we should care who is elected to leadership positions in our municipalities. We have, for too long, allowed incompetence and laziness to be acceptable amongst civil servants, and this creates an environment for corruption and looting to take hold. It limits the ability of those who want the state to flourish to do their jobs. Next year’s local government elections must be taken seriously.

If we truly want South Africa to work and thrive as Pravin Gordhan described, we need to create the environment for it to happen. We need to shut down those who are only intent on self-benefit. This means stronger institutions, tighter controls, better resourcing, more accountability, and a stronger line of defence.

This is only possible with good people who have political will behind them. There must be the will to want South Africa to work and to thrive so that those who corruptly enrich themselves ultimately lose the battle.