Publications
Partners
President Jacob Zuma’s announcement that Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo will head the commission of inquiry into state capture is long overdue.
Justice Zondo’s appointment was recommended by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng in line with former public protector Thuli Madonsela’s remedial action recommendations, which were, in turn, confirmed by a full Bench of the Pretoria High Court.
This matter has occupied South Africans’ minds for far too long and needs to be brought to its finality.
Madonsela released the State of Capture report in November 2016 with relevant time frames for what had to be done – 30 days for Zuma to appoint a commission of inquiry, which had to complete its findings within 180 days. Since then, Zuma has sought to frustrate the inquiry through unwinnable appeals – until last month, when the courts ruled against the president.
Zuma has indicated he will continue to seek legal advice on his appeal against the personal cost order and the duty of a president to appoint commissions of inquiry.
But this should not affect the inquiry.
Madonsela was told of specific allegations to investigate when the probe started, including that “of alleged improper and unethical conduct by the president [Zuma] and other state functionaries relating to alleged improper relationships, and the involvement of the Gupta family in the removal and appointment of ministers and directors of state-owned entities, resulting in improper and possibly corrupt awards of state contracts and benefits to the Gupta family”.
From Madonsela’s report, we know how the Gupta family and cronies of the president captured several parastatals for the benefit of Zuma and the family. Billions were sucked out of the state.
The Zondo inquiry will afford the country the opportunity to see every detail of the raiding of Eskom, Transnet, Prasa, Denel, SAA and the SABC, as well as national and provincial departments.
This commission must get to the bottom of the extent of the corruption and fraud. Those implicated should face the full might of the law.
Calls, similar to those made by Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, for the probe to be like a box of Bakers Choice Assorted biscuits and include a raft of other issues are misplaced.
This inquiry should concentrate solely on the State of Capture report.
