Flying the anti-corruption flag for the African National Congress‚ the party's Gauteng chairperson Paul Mashatile has told ordinary South Africans they are not alone as they stand against state capture and corruption.
Mashatile was speaking at the Save South Africa People's Assembly in Pretoria on Wednesday‚ where religious leaders‚ business leaders and apartheid stalwarts joined ordinary citizens‚ protesting against "state capture".
Mashatile said he was pleased that the fraud charge against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan had been dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority‚ calling it a victory.
"We have won the first battle. The charges have been dropped. We have not won the war.
"We want Comrade Pravin now to focus on his job. We want comrade Pravin to lead us in growing this economy.
"Hands off Pravin Gordhan‚ hands off."
Referring to National Prosecuting Authority head Shaun Abrahams' refusal to apologise after dropping the charges against Gordhan‚ he said:
"It will be important to remind [the National Director of Public Prosecutions‚ Shaun Abrahams]‚ that if this time he makes a decision to charge [Gordhan‚ don't do it] if you don't have a winnable case.
"I think the problem in this country is that leaders don't want to be accountable. Sometimes it's okay to say 'I was wrong‚ I made a mistake'. Unless it wasn't a mistake."
Mashatile said there were many in the ANC's leadership who stood against corruption and state capture.
"Let me assure you‚ there are men and women in the leadership of the ANC who will support what is happening here this morning.
"You are not alone in your fight. We are with you in your fight against corruption."
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