Among the many promises Jacob Zuma made at his second presidential inauguration was a pledge to intensify the fight against corruption.

That is a noble aim. And perhaps the nation could salvage a smidgeon of encouragement from news that the ANC declined to appoint controversial Northern Cape finance MEC John Block as provincial premier. Block is accused of fraud, corruption and money-laundering, even if the case against him seems to teeter occasionally.

However, Block is not the only ANC politician with a dark cloud over his head. Take for example Pule Mabe, who was sworn in as an MP last week. Yesterday there were reports that he paid welfare money to political allies and used it to repay his credit card debt. Not an auspicious start to the parliamentary term of a corruption-fighting ANC.

However, the biggest doubts still centre on Zuma. Shortly before his 2009 election victory, 783 counts of corruption, money-laundering and fraud against him were dropped under questionable circumstances. The Hong Kong judgment used at the time by Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions Mokotedi Mpshe had by then already proved faulty.

In fact, Zuma’s cronies are so reluctant to defend the rationale of the withdrawal of charges that they refused to release the so-called “spy tapes” that led to the decision. This despite orders from the Supreme Court of Appeal that they should do so.

The spy tapes are not the only lingering corruption taint. There’s also the R246 million in bills for Zuma’s private residence at Nkandla. Other allegations include his intervention to score a massive oil deal for his massive nephew Khulubuse. And what is Guptagate if it is not a form a corruption?

In short, Zuma’s promise to fight corruption will be more believable if he comes clean about his own dealings.

From the Citizen <----Follow link to view original article.