Presidency responds to State Capture Commission criticism

The Presidency has released a progress report on the implementation of the Zondo Commission’s recommendations, amid mounting public skepticism over commissions of inquiry.

The State Capture Commission, also known as the Zondo Commission, was an over R1 billion judicial inquiry established in South Africa to investigate allegations of state capture, a form of systematic corruption.

The commission found extensive evidence of state capture, with groups of private and public actors conspiring to redirect state resources for personal gain. The total economic impact was estimated at R500 billion.

The update comes as the President launches a fresh commission into explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged political interference in policing.

Critics say the inquiry risks repeating a familiar cycle of outrage, reports, and inaction, with commissions increasingly perceived as costly tools of deflection rather than justice.

Amid this backlash, on 28 July, the Presidency published a report that highlighted “marked improvements in accountability and institutional reforms.”

It “demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that those responsible for state capture are held accountable and that the systemic weaknesses that enabled this assault on our democracy are permanently addressed,” said Ramaphosa.

“We have recovered nearly R11 billion in stolen public funds, strengthened our law enforcement capacity and implemented comprehensive reforms across government.”

“However, our work is far from complete. We remain committed to the full implementation of the State Capture Commission’s recommendations and to rebuilding public trust in our institutions,” he added.

The progress report

“Of the 60 actions identified in the President’s October 2022 response plan, 48% have been completed or substantially completed, 23% are on track, and 29% are delayed but receiving attention,” said the Presidency in a statement on Monday.

According to the report, which outlines developments made up to the end of Quarter 4 of the 2024/25 financial year, the NPA-led Integrated Task Force is handling 218 criminal investigations linked to State capture.

As of March 2025, 21% were finalised or enrolled for trial, and over half remain under active investigation.

Major trials expected through 2025 to 2026 include cases involving Bosasa, Transnet, SA Express, and the Free State asbestos scandal. Four cases have already yielded guilty verdicts.

The report noted that nearly R11 billion in stolen public funds has been recovered, including R8 billion via the Asset Forfeiture Unit and R2.9 billion by the Special Investigating Unit.

A further R10.6 billion is under restraint. Notable settlements include ABB (R2.55 billion), McKinsey (R1.12 billion), and SAP (R1.16 billion).

The Presidency says key reforms include the creation of a permanent Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) under the 2024 NPA Amendment Act, and strengthened anti-money laundering laws that boosted compliance with FATF standards.

Other measures include the Public Procurement Act to streamline procurement systems, and legislation splitting the State Security Agency into separate domestic and foreign intelligence bodies.

The National Framework for Public Sector Professionalisation has led to mandatory lifestyle audits in 138 departments.

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission has reviewed 10 firms implicated in State capture, with six investigations ongoing.

Professional bodies have imposed penalties, including disbarments and fines.

What next for the recommendations?

Ramaphosa said that while significant progress has been made, much more needs to be done.

Priorities for the year ahead include:

• Accelerating high-profile prosecutions and bringing new cases to court;
• Finalising the Whistleblower Protection Bill for submission to Parliament;
• Finalising the National State Enterprises Bill as part of broader SOE governance reforms;
• Completing amendments to the SARS Act based on the Nugent Commission’s recommendations; and
• Finalising proposals for a new anti-corruption architecture currently under consideration by the Executive.

The ultimate test of these reforms is their effectiveness in preventing future occurrences of state capture and restoring faith in state institutions.

Not dealing with the findings fast enough, say critics

Critics argue that the implementation of the commission’s recommendations has been slow, particularly in prosecuting the 1,438 individuals implicated in state capture.

Raymond Zondo, the former chief justice and commission chairperson, expressed frustration, stating in an interview with the Sunday Times on July 28, 2025 that it pained him to swear in minister implicated in the report.

“It was like the president was saying, ‘I don’t care what you have found about these people. I think they are good enough to be promoted.’”

Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson for justice Glynniss Breytenbach argued that nothing indicates the president has taken the recommendations seriously.

“There is a problem, a big problem. The skill set to prosecute state capture and high-level corruption isn’t there. They have only a handful of people who are able to do those kinds of cases because it takes years to get that kind of experience,” she told EWN.