The former National Party (NP) government was a ”magnificent master or teacher” of the present African National Congress government regarding corruption, according to Federal Alliance leader, rugby supremo and businessman Louis Luyt.
Addressing the Cape Town Press Club on Thursday, he referred to various commissions of inquiry into corruption and said if people were found to be guilty, they should be punished without fear or favour.
”We have to see this through, whether before the election or whatever the case may be, we must see this out.”
Asked whether he thought the old NP government was more corrupt than the present government, in view of the information scandal of the 1970s, Luyt said he would agree.
”After all, we discovered so many properties that were bought overseas we couldn’t believe it, when we were in [Parliament’s watchdog] public accounts [committee] … so yes, I accept that.
”They were magnificent masters or teachers of the present government; the new government,” he said.
Luyt was himself involved in the founding of The Citizen newspaper, which led to the scandal and resignation of senior government officials, Cabinet ministers and eventually former prime minister John Vorster.
Asked about calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty as a means of curbing crime, Luyt said he supports this.
Both black and white South Africans are concerned about continuing violent murders and crime.
”We can’t go on like this. Have a referendum, see what the people say about it … 11 judges of the Constitutional Court decided what we must do with the death penalty. Why don’t we for a change tell them what we want to do with the death penalty?” he said.
On the unemployment situation, Luyt said he has a problem with minimum salaries for workers.
”A lot of people are walking around who are willing to work for less … of all colours, who will do anything to keep food on the table.”
The unemployment rate is almost 50%, which contributes to crime. The government is not doing enough to create jobs.
”Let people work, and if they want to work for a bit less, let them work for a bit less … there are many, so many, because you can’t beg on the street corner all the time.”
In labour terms, South Africa has legislated ”for higher than we can afford”.
Unless this is changed, the country will suffer and more people will be out of work, he said. — Sapa