Ramaphosa warns future ANC councillors: ‘Those who steal from government, be warned’

Speaking at the event, Ramaphosa addressed corruption in local government and the conduct expected of ANC representatives. He warned directly about people who join government to steal, saying:

“Those who steal money from the government, be warned. There are those who join government to steal money; we have opened a commission for them. They are getting arrested. Thieves are getting arrested, and there will be more arrests.”

He added a caution aimed at those to be elected on 4 November:

“And those we are going to elect on 4 November – our councillors – are warned. We don’t want thieves. We want those who have morals and discipline. Those that don’t have morals, we will take them out through the door and through the windows.”

Madlanga Commission and police corruption

Ramaphosa also spoke about corruption within the South African Police Service and referenced the Madlanga Commission. He said the commission was holding officers to account and described the pressure some witnesses faced when summoned:

“The other aspect we are busy with – you have been watching it on TV every day – is that of crooked police officers, police doing illegal things. I’m not talking about the police you see standing here; they are appearing before the Madlanga Commission, and Madlanga is not playing now.”

He continued:

“If you go to Madlanga and you don’t know your story, you will be arrested. Some are even shaking; they are afraid to go to Madlanga. They even go to the hospital to avoid Madlanga, and when in hospital they are always in the toilet,”

Ramaphosa said.

Voter registration and election planning

Ramaphosa urged South Africans to register to vote ahead of the municipal elections scheduled for 4 November, noting the final registration weekend had just taken place. The source reported that more than 11 million eligible citizens had yet to register.

The Electoral Commission (IEC) said it is anticipating that the minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will proclaim the election date, a step that will trigger a formal election timetable and other processes.

“The proclamation sets in motion a number of important processes. Firstly, the commission will have to publicise an election timetable. The timetable sets out cut-off times and dates for the performance of certain election functions, such as the publication of lists of voting stations, the publication of the inspection voters’ roll, and the cut-off date for candidate nomination,”

IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mambolo said.

The source also reported that the commission expects to enter the ballot production phase and anticipates printing in the region of over 70 million ballot papers in a three-week window period. The report quoted Mamabolo saying the exercise is complex and must be approached with proper diligence.

What this means

Ramaphosa’s remarks combined an electoral appeal with a public call for integrity among ANC candidates, while highlighting ongoing efforts to tackle corruption in both local government and the police through commissions and arrests.