There has been a discernible shift in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s communications strategy. He replaced his spokesperson Khusela Diko in July after it emerged that her husband had his snout in the bountiful PPE feeding trough.
Ever since her ‘acting’ replacement Tyrone Seale started signing off on statements, there has been a strong drive to get the message across that concrete steps are being taken against corruption. Seale is a former journalist whose byline was prominent in Cape newspapers before he crossed over to the public relations sector.
In addition to regular updates on arrests, and repeated messages that corruption will no longer be tolerated, a score-board has appeared on the government news website, underscoring that a serious campaign is underway. The current figures, alongside an anti-corruption hotline, show that there were 80 arrests, four convictions and about R230m in assets seized in the first two weeks of October.
Law enforcers have some powerful figures in their sights. Read this piece by my BizNews colleague Bernice Maune: Is it nearly time up for Ace Magashule? Insights on ANC secretary-general as Hawks circle
PS: For a peek at the motivational style of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus take a look at this rare glimpse of the rugby changing room: How world sees SA: Rassie Erasmus team talk to ‘bully’ rugby players goes viral
