Former Deputy Minister of Finance Mcebisi Jonas on Tuesday said that the problems and challenges facing the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in Nelson Mandela Bay, in the Eastern Cape, required more than one person to resolve them.

Jonas was addressing the media on the sidelines of the launch of Anti-Racism Week at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

He revealed that he had not received any instruction from the ANC amid speculations that he could replace Democratic Alliance (DA) Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Athol Tollip.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is adamant that Trollip should be unseated through the tabling of a motion of no confidence against him on April 6 as a punishment following the DA’s refusal to support the EFF’s recent motion of expropriation of land without compensation.  

“I am an ANC member. I will do what the ANC tells me to do. There is no communication at the moment,” said Jonas.

Cabinet Reshuffle, State Capture

Asked about the recent Cabinet reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Jonas said it reflected the damage and the dreams that were dashed during the state of chaos that prevailed in the country during former President Jacob Zuma’s tenure.

“The State of the Nation address had concrete steps to address the issue of unemployment and we must face hard questions,” Jonas said.

He went on to say that the reversal of State capture would be at the centre of what the State does.

“We need to bring back credibility. The ANC needs to deal with hard questions and move quickly. State Capture eroded the State-owned entities. We must build confidence and go back to policy and look at mining, industries and even visa regulations. We need to see new regulatory measures to promote growth,” he said.

Government needed to implement short term measures before the 2019 elections to deal with important issues but these would lead to medium- to long-term conversations on the way forward that Jonas averred could only be done by credible leaders.

Expropriation of Land

Jonas said it was vital to avoid empty slogans on the issue of land, emphasising that proper planning was needed. He said it was important to know what exactly was being proposed where expropriation of land without compensation was discussed.

“It remains a slogan for now. You can’t escape the need of asset distribution. We also need to make sure that we equally build the economy and attract investors. Policy needs to lead followed by genuine discussions,” he concluded.