Motlanthe: ANC not made up of thieves, but thieves are dominant

Where he spoke and what he said

Motlanthe spoke at the Ahmed Kathrada Legacy Fundraising Breakfast Series in a session titled “The State of South Africa Today,” where he addressed issues of governance, accountability and public trust, according to the Citizen.

“So, the ANC is not made up of thieves. The thieves are prominent in the ANC. The thieves are dominant in the ANC,” Motlanthe said, the Citizen reports.

Call for leadership change and integrity

Motlanthe argued that leadership sets the tone for an organisation and that the ANC’s leadership must restore the party’s standards. He warned that renewal and ethical leadership are required to rebuild public trust.

Broader context and reactions

His remarks echo public concerns about corruption and the ANC’s standing following governance failures highlighted during the Jacob Zuma era and subsequent electoral setbacks. The discussion at the fundraising breakfast reflected wider debates about inequality, accountability and the responsibility of active citizenship.

Other figures and analysts cited at the event and in related reporting have warned that renewal requires action on service delivery, deployment of capable leaders and a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.

ANC’s recent struggles

The Citizen’s coverage notes ongoing questions about the ANC’s direction after electoral losses and internal infighting, with some veteran leaders calling for a return to the party’s founding values and an end to positional fighting.

What this means going forward

Motlanthe’s intervention adds to pressure on the ANC to demonstrate concrete reforms in leadership and governance. The remarks are likely to intensify debate within the party about renewal, accountability and how to restore public confidence.