Fighting corruption and giving the NPA, the Hawks and the SIU free rein to investigate corruption cases are some of the things Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, CEO of Gift of the Givers and member of the Eminent Persons Group for the National Dialogue, says must be addressed first for the dialogue to serve its purpose.

Sooliman made the remarks on the sidelines of the National Convention for the National Dialogue at UNISA in Pretoria.

President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the dialogue at UNISA’s ZK Matthews Hall on Friday.

Speaking to IOL News, Sooliman defended the dialogue against its critics.

“For me, this dialogue is very, very important. It’s not run by the government. It’s not run by politicians. It’s run by civilians and civilians are now calling upon civilians to come and present their problems. But to be fair, most of us know the problems already,” he said.

The dialogue has been mired in controversy, with several key figures and organisations withdrawing from the process, including former president Thabo Mbeki, multiple legacy foundations, civil society groups, and members of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Prominent organisations such as the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation cited concerns over the dialogue’s implementation, a rushed timeline, and uncertainty.

“Why are we getting to the civilians? We are saying, cover the problems, but also let’s find solutions within ourselves,” Sooliman said.

He emphasised that the country belongs to all its people, not the government.

“We all need to be patriots. We need to fix what we can on our own. Not that we’re absorbing the government from their responsibility,” he said.

“But to be fair to the government, there’s only 7.4 million taxpayers in this country. The taxes of 7.4 million people cannot look after 65 million people. It’s impossible.”

Sooliman said communities can take responsibility in certain areas.

“Simple things. They can assist with reducing gender-based violence. They can support and guide children with ethics, with values,” he said.

“The churches, the schools, the parents, the teachers can get involved. Guiding children to the right path like they did in the old days.”

He added that such efforts would help reduce substance abuse, rampant crime and violence.

“Those things don’t cost anything. It just requires an effort from the community to do that.”

Addressing scepticism about the dialogue, he said the Eminent Persons Group had to ensure it serves its purpose.

“Because we are civilians and we have to write the narrative. Not the government telling us what to do. Us telling them what should be done.”

Sooliman said accountability should be the starting point.

“Why is money spent in a certain way? Why is it that money is returned to the fiscus from different departments, from municipalities, from different ministries? Why is it not returned when it’s supposed to be spent in the interest of the people? Why don’t we have enough trained, skilled people to make a decision?”

He said skilled professionals were needed to run the country like a corporate entity.

“People have been battling for too long. Pre-1994 and post-1994, it’s 30 years. It’s a very, very long time,” he said.

He stressed the need to act quickly.

“And as our job, as an eminent persons group, is to see that that happens. We have to fight crime and corruption. Give the NPA, the Hawks, the SIU free rein. Don’t make a phone call and say, hey, don’t investigate this one. Please take those dockets away.”

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Hawks and Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have faced allegations of political interference in investigations.

“That has to stop. People have to be free. Make sure there’s a conviction,” Sooliman said.

“When that starts happening, people will start believing the system. So right now, the number one priority is to rebuild trust. To tell the people this is not a talk show. And let’s start showing some examples of where there is a difference. Where people can see a difference.”

He argued that trust would grow once people saw real change.

“And that will be our first job. While speaking to the people, start getting trust. But when we go to the government with a promise, they can’t put it on the shelf.

“When they do that, we pull out and say, it’s over. And then they have to explain to the public why we pulled out of this event,” he said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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