A legacy of ‘clean governance’ laid to ruin as Ramaphosa faces impeachment

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Thu 01 Dec   Say what you will say, but the ushering in of the Cyril Ramaphosa presidency did bring with it a fair share of hope — no matter your political affiliation or loyalties within the fractious ANC. It was more than four years ago that “Ramaphoria” gave us some reprieve from the final and very desperate years of his predecessor, Jacob Zuma. A Covid-19 pandemic that once more exposed state corruption. An economy drifting primarily because of indecision by a state lacking in capacity quickly put paid to the euphoria. Still, for the most part, we were comforted that the reign of the Gupta family and their many beneficiaries was over. Clean governance was the central theme of Ramaphosa’s presidency, and processes that were routinely thwarted by the Zuma administration were left to unfold — even though the ANC got a more bloody nose. Strengthening institutions and clean governance was going to be his legacy — with economic revival a much more difficult prospect in the wake of the pandemic’s damage. But that looks like it’s now being laid to ruin with the outcome of the parliamentary inquiry into Ramaphosa’s game farm — Phala Phala. I am in no doubt he, like his predecessor, will survive an [impeachment process]( it’s highly unlikely the ANC would impeach one of its own. Or will they? Maybe that’s dependent on the December outcomes. However this all unfolds, Ramaphosa can no longer claim a legacy of clean governance. Disappointing. It looks like Bathabile Dlamini may prove to be the most honest of our politicians after all, warning before an ANC meeting — where Zuma was supposed to face the wrath of his compatriots — that all of the national executive council meetings had “smallanyana skeletons”. This is just Ramaphosa’s skeleton. Thanks again for being a supporter of the Mail & Guardian, speak again tomorrow … Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@RonDerby]( [Subscribe now]( to enjoy unlimited access to The Mail & Guardian for only R99 per month.   Premium [Phala Phala becomes impeachment nightmare for Ramaphosa]( A panel has found prima facie evidence that the president broke the law in receiving foreign currency, not reporting it stolen and enabling secret efforts to recover it Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? [SIGN IN HERE]( [Panel finds Ramaphosa has impeachment case to answer]( The president has to answer serious charges about the origin of the money stolen from his farm and ‘secret’ efforts to recover it, a section 89 panel has concluded Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. 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