PAUL HOFFMAN: Gordhan fiasco shows Abrahamic era may be drawing to an ignominious end
There is impunity in high places, while trumped-up charges threaten the economy and country’s reputation, writes Paul Hoffman
Anyone familiar with the Abrahamic tradition that underpins the main religions practised in SA — Judaism, Christianity and Islam, in their order of appearance — will recognise the ninth commandment Moses brought down from Mount Sinai: "Thou shalt not bear false witness". In the more modern language of the Good News Bible this injunction has been translated from the original Hebrew as "Do not accuse anyone falsely". While SA is a secular state, it does expect of its public administration that, "A high standard of professional ethics must be promoted and maintained" in accordance with the values and principles which govern it. There is also a heartfelt request in the preamble to the constitution: "May God protect our people." Other constitutional values that are worth noting are that "efficient, economic and effective use of resources must be promoted" and "services must be provided impartially, fairly, equitably and without bias". These are neatly set out in section 195(1) of the Con...
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