The African National Congress (ANC) and the Congress of South African Unions (Cosatu) have come out in support of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s moves to end State Capture.
On Sunday night, Ramaphosa used his live broadcast to update the nation on actions he was taking against State Capture as recommended by Justice Raymond Zondo in his six-part State Capture Commission report.
“Yesterday, I submitted to Parliament Cabinet’s response to the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in fulfillment of an order by the Judiciary,” Ramaphosa said.
The document with more than 70 pages sets out the President’s approach to the commission’s findings and recommendations.
“The submission of this response is a firm and clear indication of the primacy of the rule of law and a demonstration of our democratic system at work,” Ramaphosa said.
“This response constitutes an ethical, moral, and institutional departure from the abuses revealed by the State Capture Commission.
“This response is intended as a platform to mobilise all sectors of our society against fraud, corruption and state capture now and into the future.
“We are submitting this response to Parliament six years to the month since former Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela released her State of Capture report.”
The President said the Commission made over 350 recommendations. Of these:
- 202 were for criminal or other investigations,
- 27 were recommendations for the recovery of assets,
- 15 were referrals to other state bodies for disciplinary offences, tax offences, delinquency of directors and other misconduct,
- 11 were referrals to professional and regulatory bodies for further investigation of individuals for alleged violation of professional codes,
- 5 recommendations proposed constitutional changes,
- 26 recommendations proposed legislative changes, and,
- there were 64 recommendations requiring operational or regulatory changes.
The Commission also proposed the establishment of two new institutions and a Commission of Inquiry.
The recommendations were directed at several institutions both within the state and more broadly in society
The National Prosecuting Authority has to date enrolled 26 cases, declared 89 investigations and 165 accused persons have appeared in court for alleged state capture-related offences.
“Our law enforcement agencies have, to date, been granted freezing or preservation orders to the value of R12.9 billion,” Ramaphosa revealed.
“A total of R2.9 billion has been recovered and returned to the affected entities and SARS has collected R4.8 billion in unpaid taxes arising from the work of the Commission.
“Consideration is being given to claims for civil damages against companies implicated in state capture and to ban them from doing business with the state.”
Ramaphosa said the people of South Africa were” tired of corruption and want it to end”.
The President said those who are involved in corruption, or who are even thinking about engaging in criminal conduct, must know that all the instruments of the state will be used to bring them to book.
Responding to the move, the ANC said: “The vast majority of ANC leaders, cadres and members are vehemently opposed to corruption in all its manifestations.
“Accordingly, the ANC distances itself from those within its ranks who have been involved in corruption or who are complicit in State Capture.”
The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) said it “welcomed and supported recommendations aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption and state capture”.
Commenting on Ramaphosa’s address, ANC tripartite alliance partner, COSATU, said it “notes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of various measures to intensify the fight against corruption”.
The federation said it acknowledges the work being done to restore the South African Revenue Service.
COSATU said these efforts have already generated an additional R60 billion in tax revenues.
“We are seeing promising signs of progress with a gradual increase in the number of high-profile people who are being charged and whose assets are being attached, including some convictions,” COSATU said.
“We welcome the recent establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Council. It needs to be authorised to force the government to implement its recommendations if it is to have any real impact.”
The federation said it looks forward to hearing from the various ministers and departments on how they intend to implement the commitments made by the President.
“They need to provide the granular detail of what specific steps government is going to undertake,” said COSATU.
Ramaphosa ended his address by saying: “Now that our response to the State Capture Commission has been submitted to Parliament, we look forward to the deliberations and suggestions of Members of Parliament and from across society as we take forward the recommendations of this Commission.
“As a country, we are emerging from a dark and difficult period. Together, we have chosen a path of rebuilding, a path of renewal, a path of transparency and accountability, a path of justice, and the rule of law.
“I have every confidence that no matter the challenges, we will walk this path together and we will prevail.”
To download a copy of the Response by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector, go to: www.stateofthenation.gov.za/state-capture-commission-recommendations
