Editing African National Congress (section)

== Criticism and controversy ==
The ANC has received criticism from both internal and external sources. Internally Mandela publicly criticized the party, following the conclusion of his presidency, for ignoring instances of corruption and mismanagement, whilst allowing for the growth of a culture of racial and ideological intolerance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-03-03 |title=Mandela accuses ANC of racism and corruption |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/1324909/Mandela-accuses-ANC-of-racism-and-corruption.html |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-03-03 |title=Mandela says ANC racist and corrupt |url=https://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/mandela-says-anc-racist-and-corrupt/26092140.html |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}}</ref>

===Corruption controversies===
{{See also|Corruption in South Africa}}{{further|South African Arms Deal}}

The most prominent corruption case involving the ANC relates to a series of bribes paid to companies involved in the ongoing R55 billion [[South African Arms Deal|Arms Deal saga]], which [[Schabir Shaik trial|resulted in]] a long term jail sentence to then Deputy President [[Jacob Zuma]]'s legal adviser [[Schabir Shaik]]. Zuma, the former South African President, [[Jacob Zuma corruption charges|was charged with]] fraud, bribery and corruption in the Arms Deal, but the charges were subsequently withdrawn by the [[National Prosecuting Authority]] of South Africa due to their delay in prosecution.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 October 2008 |title=Opposition hails challenge to ANC rule |url=http://www.pretorianews.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=vn20081009055615571C284334}}</ref> The ANC has also been criticised for its subsequent abolition of the [[Scorpions (South Africa)|Scorpions]], the multidisciplinary agency that investigated and prosecuted organised crime and corruption, and was heavily involved in the investigation into Zuma and Shaik. [[Tony Yengeni]], in his position as chief whip of the ANC and head of the Parliaments defence committee has recently been named as being involved in bribing the German company [[ThyssenKrupp]] over the purchase of four corvettes for the SANDF.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Other corruption issues in the 2000s included the sexual misconduct and criminal charges of [[Beaufort West Local Municipality|Beaufort West]] municipal manager [[Truman Prince]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Bester |first=Ronel |date=5 May 2005 |title=Action against Prince 'a farce' |work=[[Die Burger]] |url=http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1700232,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507032712/http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0%2C%2C2-7-1442_1700232%2C00.html |archive-date=7 May 2005}}</ref> and the [[Oilgate]] scandal, in which millions of Rand in funds from a state-owned company were funnelled into ANC coffers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Special Report: Oilgate |work=Mail & Guardian |url=http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport.aspx?area=oilgate |url-status=dead |access-date=27 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814083114/http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport.aspx?area=oilgate |archive-date=14 August 2007}}</ref>

The ANC has also been accused of using government and civil society to fight its political battles against opposition parties such as the [[Democratic Alliance (South Africa)|Democratic Alliance]]. The result has been a number of complaints and allegations that none of the political parties truly represent the interests of the poor.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 February 2008 |title=DA councillor's role in Delft is 'criminal' |url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=vn20080220113540685C199776 |work=Cape Argus}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 February 2008 |title=DA's Delft councillor denies claims |work=Cape Argus |url=http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=3571&fArticleId=vn20080228113641490C401174}}</ref> This has resulted in the "[[No Land! No House! No Vote!]]" Campaign which became very prominent during elections.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 May 2005 |title=The 'No Land, No House, No Vote' campaign still on for 2009 |work=[[Abahlali baseMjondolo]] |url=http://libcom.org/library/the-no-land-no-house-no-vote-campaign-still-2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=12 December 2005 |title=IndyMedia Presents: No Land! No House! No Vote! |url=http://antieviction.org.za/2005/12/12/indymedia-presents-no-land-no-house-no-vote/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425165902/http://antieviction.org.za/2005/12/12/indymedia-presents-no-land-no-house-no-vote/ |archive-date=25 April 2009 |publisher=Anti-Eviction Campaign}}</ref> In 2018, ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported on the killings of ANC corruption whistleblowers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Norimitsu Onishi |last2=Selam Gebrekidan |date=30 September 2018 |title=Hit Men and Power: South Africa's Leaders Are Killing One Another |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/30/world/africa/south-africa-anc-killings.html?stream=world |access-date=2 October 2018 |quote="If you understand the Cosa Nostra, you don't only kill the person, but you also send a strong message," said Thabiso Zulu, another A.N.C. whistle-blower who, fearing for his life, is now in hiding.  "We broke the rule of omertà," he added, saying that the party of Nelson Mandela had become like the Mafia.}}</ref>

During an address on 28 October 2021, former president Thabo Mbeki commented on the history of corruption within the ANC. He reflected that Mandela had already warned in 1997 that the ANC was attracting individuals who viewed the party as "a route to power and self-enrichment." He added that the [[National Executive Committee of the African National Congress|ANC leadership]] "did not know how to deal with this problem."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maphanga |first1=Canny |last2=Gerber |first2=Jan |date=29 October 2021 |title=ANC has failed to keep people seeking 'self-enrichment' out of party |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/anc-has-failed-to-keep-people-seeking-self-enrichment-out-of-party-20211029 |access-date=30 October 2021 |publisher=News24}}</ref> During a lecture on 10 December, Mbeki reiterated concerns about "careerists" within the party, and stressed the need to "purge itself of such members".<ref>{{cite web |last=Maphanga |first=Canny |date=11 December 2021 |title=Many see their ANC membership as a ticket to power and resources – Thabo Mbeki |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/many-see-their-anc-membership-as-a-ticket-to-power-and-resources-thabo-mbeki-20211211 |access-date=11 December 2021 |publisher=News24}}</ref>

In May 2024, the [[International Consortium of Investigative Journalists]] in association with [[amaBhungane]] showed in documents that R200 million in the ANC's election fund was siphoned off to the church of controversial archbishop [[Bheki Lukhele]] in Eswatini; the Chief Financial Officer of the ANC, [[Bongani Mahlalela]] along with the Ambassador of Eswatini to Belgium, [[Sibusisiwe Mngomezulu]], were implicated in the scheme.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tshwane |first=Tebogo |date=2024-04-30 |title=The ANC, the megachurch and the mystery of the R200-million money flows |url=https://amabhungane.org/the-anc-the-megachurch-and-the-mystery-of-the-r200-million-money-flows/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=amaBhungane |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tshwane |first=Tebogo |date=2024-05-08 |title=The ANC, the megachurch, and the mystery money flows – Part Two: 'God's Laundry' |url=https://amabhungane.org/the-anc-the-megachurch-and-the-mystery-money-flows-part-two-gods-laundry/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=amaBhungane |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-26 |title=Millions in suspicious transactions tie South Africa's ruling party to a controversial Swazi archbishop, documents show – ICIJ |url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/swazi-secrets/millions-in-suspicious-transactions-tie-south-africas-ruling-party-to-a-controversial-swazi-archbishop-documents-show/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Condemnation over Secrecy Bill===
{{further|Protection of State Information Bill}}

In late 2011, the ANC was heavily criticised over the passage of the [[Protection of State Information Bill]], which opponents claimed would improperly restrict the [[freedom of the press]].<ref name="du Plessis-2011">{{cite news |last=du Plessis |first=Charl |date=22 November 2011 |title=Secrecy bill opposition reaching fever pitch |work=Times Live |url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2011/11/22/secrecy-bill-opposition-reaching-fever-pitch}}</ref> Opposition to the bill included otherwise ANC-aligned groups such as [[Congress of South African Trade Unions|COSATU]]. Notably, [[Nelson Mandela]] and other Nobel laureates [[Nadine Gordimer]], Archbishop [[Desmond Tutu]], and [[F. W. de Klerk]] have expressed disappointment with the bill for not meeting standards of constitutionality and aspirations for freedom of information and expression.<ref>{{cite news |author=AFP |date=22 November 2011 |title=Mandela's office comments on S Africa's secrecy bill |work=Dawn |url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/22/mandelas-office-comments-on-s-africas-secrecy-bill.html}}</ref>

===Role in the Marikana killings===
{{further|Marikana massacre}}
The ANC have been criticised for its role in failing to prevent 16 August 2012 massacre of Lonmin miners at Marikana in the Northwest. Some{{who|date=June 2024}} allege that Police Commissioner [[Riah Phiyega]] and Police Minister [[Nathi Mthethwa]] gave the go ahead for the police action against the miners on that day.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 October 2012 |title=Who gave permission to kill?: Bizos |work=Business Report |publisher=IOL |url=http://www.iol.co.za/business/companies/who-gave-permission-to-kill-bizos-1.1408535#.UIbgQxLJX_g}}</ref>

Commissioner Phiyega of the ANC came under further criticism as being insensitive and uncaring when she was caught smiling and laughing during the [[Farlam Commission]]'s video playback of the massacre.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 October 2012 |title=Marikana families horrified at Phiyegas behaviour |publisher=M&G |url=http://mg.co.za/article/2012-10-24-marikana-families-horrified-at-phiyegas-behaviour}}</ref>

In 2014, Archbishop [[Desmond Tutu]] announced that he could no longer bring himself to vote for the ANC, as it was no longer the party that he and Nelson Mandela fought for. He stated that the party had lost its way, and was in danger of becoming a corrupt entity in power.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=David |date=25 April 2014 |title=Desmond Tutu: why I won't vote ANC |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/25/desmond-tutu-mandela-wont-vote-anc |access-date=30 June 2016 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

===Financial mismanagement===
Since at least 2017, the ANC has encountered significant problems related to financial mismanagement. According to a report filed by the former treasurer-general [[Zweli Mkhize]] in December 2017, the ANC was technically [[Insolvency|insolvent]] as its liabilities exceeded its assets.<ref>{{cite web |last=Paton |first=Carol |date=20 December 2017 |title=ANC is technically insolvent, financial report shows |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/politics/2017-12-20-zweli-mkhize-anc-is-technically-insolvent/ |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=BusinessLIVE}}</ref> These problems continued into the second half of 2021. By September 2021, the ANC had reportedly amassed a debt exceeding R200-million, including over R100-million owed to the [[South African Revenue Service]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Mahlaka |first=Ray |date=12 September 2021 |title=The ANC, a tax evader? Massive debt, unpaid salaries, dry donation taps |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-09-12-the-anc-a-tax-evader-massive-debt-unpaid-salaries-dry-donation-taps/ |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=Daily Maverick}}</ref>

Beginning in May 2021, the ANC failed to pay monthly staff salaries on time. Having gone without pay for three consecutive months, workers planned a strike in late August 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Madisa |first=Kgothatso |date=25 August 2021 |title=ANC offices shut down as unpaid staff go on 'wildcat strike' |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2021-08-25-no-end-to-anc-money-woes-as-salaries-not-paid-for-third-straight-month/ |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=Times LIVE}}</ref> In response, the ANC initiated a [[crowdfunding]] campaign to raise money for staff salaries.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mthethwa |first=Cebelihle |date=28 August 2021 |title=ANC resorts to crowdfunding to raise money to pay staff |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/anc-resorts-to-crowdfunding-to-raise-money-to-pay-staff-20210828 |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=News24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913073758/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/anc-resorts-to-crowdfunding-to-raise-money-to-pay-staff-20210828 |archive-date= September 13, 2021 }}</ref> By November 2021, its Cape Town staff was approaching their fourth month without salaries, while medical aid and provident fund contributions had been suspended in various provinces.<ref name="lud1">{{cite news |last1=Ludidi |first1=Velani |date=15 November 2021 |title=ANC staff picket over unpaid salaries |publisher=IOL |agency=Weekend Argus |url=https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/anc-staff-picket-over-unpaid-salaries-8cd2a71d-aa4d-4076-9ab8-7e4b4ff5043b |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref> The party has countered that the Political Party Funding Act, which prohibits anonymous contributions, has dissuaded some donors who previously injected money for salaries.<ref name="teb1">{{cite news |last1=Tebele |first1=Karabo |date=28 July 2022 |title=ANC staff members to continue picket at Nasrec over unpaid salaries |agency=CapeTalk 567AM |url=https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/450827/anc-staff-members-to-continue-picket-at-nasrec-over-unpaid-salaries |access-date=4 August 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804100317/https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/450827/anc-staff-members-to-continue-picket-at-nasrec-over-unpaid-salaries |archive-date= 4 August 2022 }}</ref>

===State capture===
{{further|Zondo Commission}}

In January 2018, then-President Jacob Zuma established the [[Zondo Commission]] to investigate allegations of [[state capture]], [[Corruption in South Africa|corruption]], and [[fraud]] in the public sector.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 June 2018 |title=Judicial Commission of Inquiry Into Allegations of State Capture (Call for evidence/information) |url=https://pmg.org.za/call-for-comment/694/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608130106/https://pmg.org.za/call-for-comment/694/ |archive-date=8 June 2019 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=PMG |language=en}}</ref> Over the following four years, the Commission heard testimony from over 250 witnesses and collected more than 150,000 pages of evidence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amashabalala |first=Mawande |date=2020-12-21 |title='He was the president': Zondo says there's no place to hide for Zuma |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2020-12-21-he-was-the-president-zondo-says-theres-no-place-to-hide-for-zuma/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221140115/https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2020-12-21-he-was-the-president-zondo-says-theres-no-place-to-hide-for-zuma/ |archive-date=21 December 2020 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=Sunday Times |language=en-ZA}}</ref> After several extensions, the first part of the final three-part report was published on 4 January 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahlati |first=Zintle |date=31 December 2021 |title=Zondo to hand deliver State Capture Inquiry report to Ramaphosa on Tuesday |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/zondo-to-hand-deliver-state-capture-inquiry-report-to-ramaphosa-on-tuesday-20211231 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=News24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=4 January 2022 |title=Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture Report: Part 1 |url=https://www.statecapture.org.za/site/files/announcements/638/Judicial_Commission_of_Inquiry_into_State_Capture_Report:_Part_1_Vol._1:_SAA_(18_MB).pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105111952/https://www.statecapture.org.za/site/files/announcements/638/Judicial_Commission_of_Inquiry_into_State_Capture_Report:_Part_1_Vol._1:_SAA_%2818_MB%29.pdf |archive-date=5 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022}}</ref>

The report found that the ANC, including Zuma and his political allies, had benefited from the extensive corruption of state enterprises, including the [[South African Revenue Service]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferreira |first=Emsie |date=6 January 2022 |title=Zondo: ANC was either incompetent or asleep on capture |url=https://mg.co.za/politics/2022-01-06-zondo-anc-was-either-incompetent-or-asleep-on-capture/ |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=Mail & Guardian |language=en}}</ref> It also found that the ANC "simply did not care that state entities were in decline during state capture or they slept on the job – or they simply didn't know what to do."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Qaanitah |date=6 January 2022 |title=ANC 'did not care or they slept on the job or they had no clue what to do' – Zondo Commission report |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/anc-did-not-care-or-they-slept-on-the-job-or-they-had-no-clue-what-to-do-zondo-commission-report-20220106 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=News24 |language=en}}</ref>