Robben Island veteran slams those 'filling their pockets with money'

The Rivonia trialists did not go to prison so that ANC members could reap the rewards of freedom through self-enrichment and greed.

These are the stern words of ANC stalwart and Rivonia trialist Andrew Mlangeni, who last week asked for Nelson Mandela to be left to God's will.

In an interview this week, the 88-year-old parliamentarian, who spent 26 years on Robben Island with Mandela, said: "Money is the source of all evil. Some people are so corrupt in my organisation, the ANC.

"You put people into leading positions in government because you know them to be trustworthy. You know that they are going to carry out the policy of the ANC of helping the people of South Africa.

"They start off by being good people, but ultimately they change and start filling their pockets with money through these tenders. Tenderism (sic) has destroyed many of our honest people."

Mlangeni, who was released from prison in 1989, said the pursuit of money and instant wealth was devaluing the sacrifice of those who went to prison and those who died fighting for freedom.

"People want to make money quickly; that is not what we stood for. I did not go to prison for that.

"There are people who sacrificed their lives in order that we should get freedom in South Africa and serve the people of South Africa. They must be turning in their graves today when they see some of these horrible things that are happening in our country."

He said the ANC government had done well since the first democratic elections, having built millions of houses and brought water, electricity, roads, schools, hospitals and clinics to those who were without. But this work was far from finished.

"There are many more houses which must still be built, many more houses which must be electrified, many more hospitals and clinics must still be built and have more doctors employed to heal our people."

Last week Mlangeni asked Mandela's family to "release him", saying it was unlikely that the elder statesman's health would improve drastically.

"The family must release him so that God may have his way. They must release him spiritually and put their faith in the hands of God. Once the family releases him, the people of South Africa will follow. We will say, 'Thank you, God, you have given us this man, and we will release him too,'" he said.

But this week he said: "I want to avoid talking about Madiba. Though the story can never be complete if you talk about the struggle, our arrest, treatment in prison, it can never be complete unless you involve Madiba. Please do me a favour, I don't want to hurt the feelings of the family."

Andrew Mlangeni

AT 88, Andrew Mlangeni exudes levels of energy that belie his age.

In parliament, he occupies a corner office on the fourth floor of the legislature's new wing.

A window with half-open blinds does not offer much of a view. You can see a car park squeezed between several tall buildings.

Competing for space on his large desk are a computer, silver laptop, black iPad, printer and iPhone.

Keys to a Mercedes-Benz lie in an ashtray. Next to it is a miniature South African flag.

A brown walking stick, which he does not much seem to rely on, is perched on a coat hanger behind his black leather chair.

A keen golfer with an impressive handicap of 18, he is a regular on the fairways of the Soweto Golf Club. He will retire from parliament next year after 20 years as an MP and intends spending most of his time playing golf.