Pretoria - Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi has responded to comments made by Nedbank chairman Reuel Khoza.
Khoza opined that "our political leadership's moral quotient is degenerating and we are fast losing the checks and balances that are necessary to prevent a recurrence of the past".
Manyi said the comments, made in the chairman's statement accompanying Nedbank's annual results for 2011, showed disingenuousness.
He said that Dr Khoza was party to the South African democracy, and had contributed towards the existence of the current democratic government, which was "of course open to constructive criticism because of being a government by the people and for the people".
"Your focus into the past ... does not help South Africans, except to replete our energy for the present and future betterment of our people's lives.
"Dr Khoza, South Africa expects people with your experience to make valuable contributions by way of acknowledging the strides that South Africa has made through our current leadership and provide further suggestions.
"You are duty-bound to help government anticipate a bright future for all South Africans by highlighting and emphasizing new possibilities, rather than attempting to discredit Government," said Manyi.
