State Capture Report Points to Systematic Corruption During Zuma’s Presidency

The first part of the three-part Zondo Commission of Enquiry Report – which was published today – points to systematic corruption during Jacob Zuma’s presidency in South Africa.

The State Capture Enquiry was established in 2018 to examine alleged corruption during Zuma’s nine years as President, which began in 2009. It followed former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s explosive State Capture report which included allegations that the Gupta brothers (Atul, Ajay and Rajesh) had used Zuma to plunder SA’s state resources and to influence policy and political appointments.

Today’s report says the Enquiry established that state decision-making was influenced by private interests during Zuma’s tenure, Reuters reports.

The Enquiry recommends that:

• the government publishes a national charter against corruption in public procurement,
• establishes an independent anti-corruption agency,
• ensures protection for whistleblowers, and that
• legislation on political party funding be amended.

The Enquiry involved more than 300 witnesses, and was chaired by Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.

President Cyril Ramaphosa described the receipt of the first part of the State Capture report as a “defining moment” in South Africa’s effort to restore the government’s integrity, credibility and capability of institutions.

Zondo handed over the report on Tuesday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, almost four years since the establishment of the Commission.

According to the President, the government will not make pronouncements on the findings nor recommendations of the Commission’s report before all three parts are received and considered. The second part will be handed over at the end of January, and the third part at the end of February.

Ramaphosa said: “We will, however, commence with the consideration of the parts of the report as they are submitted to the Presidency, and will be putting in place appropriate mechanisms to effectively and thoroughly process the findings and recommendations.”

The President told journalists that the submission of the report and implementation plan to Parliament is expected to take place by the end of June 2022. However, he said, this does not prevent other institutions from acting within their statutory mandate on any of the findings and recommendations contained in the report.

“While the terms of reference of the Commission require the submission of the Commission’s report and recommendation to the President, the reality is that the report of the Commission really belongs to the people of South Africa. It does not belong to the President,” he added.

The report is being made public on the Presidency’s website.

The President expressed his gratitude to Zondo, who was Chairperson of the Commission, and his team for their extraordinary feat of public service.

“For close on four years, Justice Zondo has pursued this profound responsibility with dedication, with determination, also with a great deal of patience.”

He also made special mention of the whistleblowers who come forward to uncover some of these acts of wrongdoing, often risking their lives. “We need to thank them for their courage and service to the country.”

Very special day – Zondo

Meanwhile, Zondo described the handing over as a “very special day”.

“It’s been a gruelling four years of the Commission. In a few days, the 9th of January will be the complete four years the announcement of the establishment of the Commission and three years of their periods when the hearing of evidence by the Commission.”

The Acting Chief Justice explained that the first part is broken down into three volumes dealing with South African Airways, The New Age and advertising, and the South African Revenue Service as well as procurement.

“This report enables us to up our tempo in the fights against State Capture, and if we work together we will be able to rid our country of the gross actions of corruption we have seen in the past,” the President said.

Sources include Reuters and SAnews.gov.za