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President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined what he said were “critical actions” that the government would be taking in respect of the findings and recommendations of the State Capture Commission.
Addressing the nation on Sunday night, Ramaphosa said he had submitted Cabinet’s response to Parliament.
“This was no ordinary commission of inquiry. It was a commission whose work will have a lasting impact on our democracy and our country,” he said.
President Ramaphosa lamented the depths to which the country had been dragged by greed, selfishness, and abuse of power.
He said despite the government’s achievement at bringing state capture to an end, its effect remains.
The President said that the State Capture Commission made detailed recommendations about the establishment of an independent Public Procurement Anti-Corruption Agency.
“It also recommended the establishment of a Permanent Anti-Corruption Commission that would have oversight over both Parliament and the Executive.”
Ramaphosa also said that the Commission found that in several instances Parliament had not been effective in holding the Executive to account, making several recommendations to remedy the shortcomings it identified.
“To ensure that Parliament is sufficiently resourced to hold the Executive to account, the National Treasury will engage with Parliament to determine the most appropriate way to give effect to the Commission’s recommendations on the funding of Parliament.”
President Ramaphosa said, “if we are to successfully end state capture and turn the tide on corruption, the actions set out in my response to the State Capture Commission will require dedicated coordination and effective implementation.”
Among the more than 350 recommendations contained in the State Capture Commission’s report, 202 were for criminal or other investigations, 27 were recommendations for the recovery of assets, and 15 were referrals to other state bodies for disciplinary offences, tax offences, delinquency of directors, and other misconduct.
The report also contained five recommendations for constitutional changes, 26 recommendations proposing legislative changes, and 64 recommendations requiring operational or regulatory changes.
"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," the President said.
"There will be no place for corrupt people, for criminal networks, for perpetrators of state capture to hide."
