ANC backs Ramaphosa on fighting corruption

South Africa’s governing African National Congress (ANC) has fallen in step behind President Cyril Ramaphosa’s fight against corruption.

In a strongly worded statement, the party’s top decision-making body agreed that any member who is formally charged with corruption should step down from all leadership positions in the party.

The decision is seen as a blow to powerful figures linked to the country’s former President Jacob Zuma.

It might seem obvious that any party official charged with corruption should step down from a leadership position.

But the ANC is so consumed by infighting, and by corruption, that the proposal has proved deeply controversial.

However, President Ramaphosa has now won the argument, imposing his will on the party, and scoring a significant victory against a powerful faction linked to Mr Zuma.

The former president is facing trial for corruption. Many of his allies are also implicated in what is known here as “state capture”.

Mr Zuma had tried to undermine his successor, accusing him of betraying the ANC, and selling out to white business interests.

But the ANC’s executive committee has sided with the man in power, condemning the Zuma faction, and acknowledging the extent to which corruption has consumed the party.

It is progress. But few South Africans will be entirely convinced until powerful figures are put on trial and convicted.

The nation’s prosecutors insist that arrests are now imminent.