Publication: Business Day Date: 2005-11-25 Reporter: Diane Salters Reporter:

SA’s Moral Immaturity Rampant

 

Publication 

Business Day
Date

2005-11-25

Reporter

 Diane Salters

Web Link

www.bday.co.za

 

While much of the Mbeki-Zuma issue may well be about political power struggles ­ the African National Congress (ANC) is, after all a political party ­ it is also about whether or not we are going to have a grown-up sense of morality.

In SA we seem to have a child-like and undeveloped sense of morality. If our friend or ally does something wrong or illegal, we are obliged to show our loyalty by believing their protestations of innocence no matter what. This is not at all the same thing as the proper requirement that our legal system operate on a presumption of innocence. People confuse the two.

When people are found guilty or confess, why do we make all sorts of excuses for them: Hansie Cronje (led astray by the devil); Allan Boesak (led astray by an adviser); Schabir Shaik (led astray by a Frenchman) *1?

What we must do, if we are to be a moral society sustained by the rule of law, is to reward people when they behave in ways that are legal, honest, courageous, unselfish and kind ­ and hold them to account when they do things that are illegal, dishonest, cowardly, self-interested or cruel.

So, while giving Jacob Zuma full credit for his part in our liberation and his campaign for moral renewal *2, we can still call him to account for actions that are questionable. According to my moral compass, when Zuma was charged with corruption, he should have tendered his resignation to President Thabo Mbeki.

Now, facing rape charges, he should put the interests of the ANC ahead of his own. If he were to stand down from office while the case is tried he would, if or when proved innocent, be even more respected and revered. Instead he has postured, posed and puffed himself up. Mbeki and Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils have taken difficult and decisive actions that speak of sounder judgment, a more grown-up moral sense and respect for the rule of law.


Diane Salters
Simon’s Town

With acknowledgements to Diane Salters and Business Day.


*1  More likely, vice versa.

*2  Reminds one of Spike Milligan's part in the campaign for Hitler's downfall.