Graft continues to erode SA

Many implicated in venal acts now back in leadership roles Defend Our Democracy.

- Thando Nondywana

State capture and corruption did not end with the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture due to government leaders' lack of commitment to fight graft, activists said as anti-corruption week was launched last week.

Defend Our Democracy executive director Zaakirah Vadi said the perception that state capture ended with the commission was untrue.

"We've seen major corruption scandals even after its recommendations, like personal protective equipment corruption [during Covid] and issues surrounding Tembisa Hospital.

"Corruption networks that once operated nationally have shifted to provincial and municipal levels, or inspired similar behaviour at these levels," she said.

Rampant corruption was revealed during the hearings before the commission chaired by former chief justice Raymond Zondo that was established in January 2018.

It wrapped up its proceedings and Zondo handed his final report to President Cyril Ramaphosa in June 2022.

According to Vadi, South Africa is at the intersection of organised crime, corruption and state capture, with criminal networks cooperating with corrupt officials.

"Many individuals implicated in corruption are now back in parliament or in other leadership roles. Fully addressing state capture and corruption requires arrests, investigations and prosecutions of those implicated by the commission."

"This would signal the government's commitment to combating corruption and reinforce that everyone is equal before the law."