It is hard to imagine how SA’s problems can be resolved when the comprehension of what the problems actually are appears to be quite tangential, as articulated by Prof Steven Friedman (Stop blaming Constitution, start electing right leaders, October 4). Whichever way you look at it, at the centre of all the problems in SA is the Constitution — coupled with the mind-set of South African citizens. All constitutions are designed on the assumption that people who are elected to office will be people of integrity, although mechanisms to manage the risk in case the opposite proves true, are included. What is bad about SA’s Constitution is that it protects those who become office bearers in case of indiscretion. This is because they come to hold office at the behest of the party they belong to. What happens to them in case of an act of indiscretion is a matter for the party. This has led to office bearers committing gross transgressions, even of the very Constitution, without having a whif...
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