South Africa spent R1 billion on one commission of inquiry, but only 4 out of 1,438 people implicated in corruption have been convicted

The government spent R1.49 billion in taxpayer money on six major commissions of inquiry, but very few people implicated in corruption have been prosecuted.

The Zondo Commission, which alone cost R1 billion, has resulted in only 4 convictions, despite 1,438 people being implicated in corruption.

The six major commissions include the Zondo Commission, the Nugent Commission, the PIC Mpati Commission, the Mokgoro Inquiry, the Khampepe Commission, and the ongoing Madlanga Commission. 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for failing to act on the commissions’ recommendations.

The DA said the Zondo Commission alone spent R1 billion over four years of investigations and implicated 1,438 people with evidence.

“Too many times have we seen reports and recommendations fall by the wayside due to ANC leaders lacking the moral compass or backbone to act,” the DA said.

The commissions are investigative in nature, and their findings do not lead to convictions unless prosecutorial authorities decide to pursue legal action.

The recommendations provided by the commissions can only be used by the authorities if they decide to prosecute an implicated person.

On 9 May 2026, Jacaranda FM interviewed a legal expert, Advocate Mpho Justice Khoza, about the effectiveness of the commissions and the extension of the Madlanga Commission.

The Madlanga Commission is investigating claims of organised crime, political interference, and corruption within the police department.

The Commission received a budget of R147 million, of which it had already spent R123 million within its first six months of inquiry.

The President has approved an extension of the Commission to 25 January 2027, which has raised concerns over whether the expenditure is worth it.

Khoza explained that an “extension must be justified by the need to complete unfinished work and demonstrate that the expected benefits outweigh additional costs”.

He warned that “prolonged proceedings may also damage public confidence if they are perceived as inefficient or unnecessarily expensive”.

On 13 July 2025, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was suspended and placed on full paid leave along with other high-ranking police officials.

Mchunu has been accused of involvement in organised crime, and the Commission has been investigating these allegations and will provide recommendations at the end of its inquiry.

The Commission has also investigated other high-profile figures, revealing corruption in core state entities.

The DA expressed a commitment to press authorities to pursue prosecution on the commissions which have concluded, and once the Madlanga Commission has concluded.