Politicians implicated in state capture still in top positions
The R1 billion Zondo Commission was supposed to hold those responsible for state capture accountable. However, many implicated politicians remain in top positions.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, better known as the Zondo Commission, ran from August 2018 until August 2021.
The commission was chaired by former Chief Justice of South Africa, Raymond Zondo, and is therefore known as the Zondo Commission.
The commission, which cost taxpayers R1 billion, was aimed at investigating allegations of state capture and examining corruption and fraud in the public sector.
Although the commission was not aimed at prosecuting anyone, it provided a comprehensive public record and recommended legal action where appropriate.
Hearings took place for over 400 days, with over 300 witness testimonies and 1,438 entities sharing their information.
The Commission revealed staggering levels of corruption, maladministration, lobbying, and kickbacks at state institutions.
Many state-owned companies were involved in state capture, including Transnet, Eskom, Denel, the SABC, South African Airways, and the South African Revenue Service.
Zondo handed over five comprehensive state capture reports to President Cyril Ramaphosa between January and June 2022.
The full Zondo Report, with nearly 5,500 pages, provided conclusive evidence of widespread corruption involving the ruling party, politicians, and businesspeople.
It summarised over 8 million pages of documentary and 75,000 pages of transcribed oral evidence.
The Commission provided materials amounting to a petabyte of data, equivalent to roughly 500 billion pages of printed text on corruption, fraud, and related offences.
This material included affidavits, investigative reports, and other evidential material about state capture.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it provided additional impetus to rebuilding the rule of law after a challenging period.
In January 2022, the NPA said it was ramping up the prosecution of those implicated in state capture, independent of undue influence.
To ensure good results, the NPA has created a dedicated Task Force coordinated at the highest levels within the organisation.
There were also promises of a dedicated court to handle state capture matters to ensure the speedy finalisation of cases and conviction-based asset recoveries.
The NPA and Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) said they were committed to ending impunity for high-level corruption and other crimes in South Africa.
“South Africans deserve to see justice being done for these heinous crimes. We will not rest until the rule of law once again lights our way in South Africa,” they said.
Fast forward three years, and the politicians and businesspeople implicated in state capture continue to live free and opulent lives.
Many implicated politicians remain in powerful positions, including some serving in Ramaphosa’s cabinet.
Here is a look at where many of the prominent politicians implicated in state capture during the Zondo Commission find themselves today.
Jacob Zuma – Leader of the MK Party
Several witnesses personally implicated former president Zuma Jacob in misconduct. He was accused of asking government officials to help the Gupta family in various dealings with the state.
Nhlanhla Nene said Zuma had scolded him for not finalising a R1.6 trillion nuclear deal with Russia. Barbara Hogan testified that Zuma had attempted to interfere in appointing chief executives at Transnet and Eskom.
Angelo Agrizzi testified that the Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson paid monthly R300,000 bribes to Zuma and that Watson had hoped to lobby Zuma to hire a new director at the NPA.
What he does now: Jacob Zuma is the leader of the MK Party and remains a powerful force in South Africa’s political landscape.
Nomvula Mokonyane – Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC
Former Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane was implicated in a number of allegations of corruption during the Commission.
Angelo Agrizzi said Mokonyane was paid R50,000 a month for years to protect Bosasa from law enforcement agencies and received numerous gifts from Bosasa.
What she does now: Nomvula Mokonyane is currently the First Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC.
Gwede Mantashe – Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources
Former ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe was accused of receiving security installations at his three houses for no charge from Bosasa.
Zondo recommended that Mantashe should be probed for corruption.
What he does now: Gwede Mantashe is the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet.
Zizi Kodwa – Former Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture
Former Deputy Minister of State Security Zizi Kodwa was accused of benefitting from a corrupt relationship with former EOH executive Jehan Mackay.
Witnesses said Kodwa received over R2 million in payments and luxury accommodation from EOH while the company was bidding for government tenders.
Zondo recommended that Ramaphosa reconsider the position of Kodwa in cabinet.
What he does now: Zizi Kodwa served as the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture in South Africa from 6 March 2023 to 5 June 2024. He resigned from Parliament on 24 July 2024.
Mosebenzi Zwane – Member of Parliament (MP)
Former Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane was accused of assisting the Gupta family to loot nearly R2-billion via the Vrede Dairy Project and two mine rehabilitation funds.
He was also allegedly behind the Gupta family and their associates’ landing of their wedding guests at the Waterkoof Air Force Base in April 2013.
Zondo recommended that law enforcement agencies investigate Zwane and that they should be sued over his looting.
What he does now – Mosebenzi Zwane is currently a Member of Parliament (MP) for the ANC. He was the former chairperson of the parliamentary committee on transport.
Lynne Brown – Helping the ANC Western Cape legislature caucus with strategy.
Zondo placed former Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown at the centre of state capture in Eskom and Denel, adding that she lied to the Commission.
He said Brown was a willing participant in the Guptas’ schemes to capture Denel and Eskom and elected board members to help the family steal millions.
What she does now: Lynne Brown is helping the ANC Western Cape legislature caucus with strategy.
Faith Muthambi – Member of Parliament (MP)
Former Communications Minister Faith Muthambi was accused of emailing confidential government policy documents to one of the Gupta brothers.
Former government spokesperson Phumla Williams also testified that Muthambi wanted to steal at all costs, rendering the Government Communication and Information System nearly dysfunctional.
What she does now: Faith Muthambi is a Member of Parliament (MP) and Party Whip at the National Assembly. She serves on numerous committees.
Malusi Gigaba – Member of Parliament (MP)
Former Minister Malusi Gigaba featured prominently in the state capture hearings and was accused of being a chief architect of state capture.
He allegedly exploited a Public Finance Management Act loophole to benefit selected contractors sanctioned by the Gupta Family network.
He was further accused of appointing key brokers of the state capture project to high-level positions at Transnet and Eskom for nefarious purposes.
The Commission also heard evidence that Gigaba had used public funds for personal purposes, including purchasing luxury goods such as clothing and watches.
Zondo recommended criminal charges against him.
What he does now: Malusi Gigaba is a Member of Parliament (MP) and co-chairperson of Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence.
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R1 billion, it boggles the mind. If I think about all the good that R1 billion could do in the right hands, and then look at the results of the Zondo Commission, it makes me sick.
The ANC waste so much money trying to look clean when they are a bunch of filthy criminals. There isn’t enough water in the world to wash the ANC clean.