Latest news with #Zondo
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
When politicians and criminals blur lines
The presence of politicians near murder suspects and failure to act on Zondo's report signal deep systemic decay. Two recent events highlighted a perceived intermingling of South African politicians with the criminal underworld – and the ANC's utter inability to fix this. The first event was Kenny Kunene pitching up at the home of a murder suspect at the centre of a web of alleged politically tainted criminality. The second was former chief justice Raymond Zondo's critique of President Cyril Ramaphosa's failure to implement recommendations of the commission of inquiry into state capture. Kunene's stated reasons for being at Katiso Molefe's home were implausible to radio, TV and social media audiences. Even his long-time friend and political boss, fellow ex-convict Gayton McKenzie, knew the position was indefensible. ALSO READ: Why the ANC remains a safe haven for corruption Molefe was mentioned in KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's media conference on 6 July, where allegations were made about senior police machinations. Molefe should have been off-bounds for any media-savvy politician. Kunene has not only reinforced the common perception that politicians are not to be trusted. It goes deeper. In an environment where whistle-blowers are slain with impunity, the link to a murder suspect could give rise to more sinister inferences. Impunity is also at the heart of Zondo's concerns, where he detailed failures of the justice system. As chief justice, he found it painful to swear-in Cabinet ministers who had serious state capture findings against them. ALSO READ: Now we wait for accountability, Mr Mayor '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.'' Zondo's words are a vote of no confidence in Ramaphosa by arguably the most respected judge in the country. Zondo lacks faith that crooks will be brought to book under Ramaphosa's presidency. Indeed, in South Africa, most culprits get away with murder and much else. Only around 6.8% of murder cases with arrests lead to convictions. In many cases, there are no arrests. So, the percentage of murder convictions per total number of murders (with and without arrests) will be lower. This picture contributes to the impunity with which criminals, including politicians, operate. In every sphere, crooks carry on because they know the chances of being convicted are slim. Proper implementation of Zondo's recommendations would have changed this perception. ALSO READ: The real national dialogue has begun On Monday, the Presidency reported 'significant progress' in implementing reforms. Ramaphosa claimed 48% completion of actions from Zondo's recommendations, adding that high-profile cases are scheduled for 2025-26. Given the lack of success in cases thus far, it is hardly reassuring to hear that cases are pending. Where are the significant arrests? Why did Ramaphosa choose for his Cabinet from people implicated in Zondo's report? Zondo has every right to feel disappointed. After sitting for four years, hearing 300 witnesses, producing 8 655 530 pages of documents and spending R1 billion of taxpayers' money, implicating more than 1 438 people, his team felt 'their efforts were for nothing'. Many South Africans will agree. Why are so many of the people implicated in the Zondo report now sitting in parliament instead of being in court or in jail? ALSO READ: RET faction gains ground as Ramaphosa falters And ex-con politicians link themselves to murder suspects. When politicians and criminals are indistinguishable from each other and the underworld are overlords, it's time to revolt.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Has government blue-ticked State Capture report recommendations?
Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo delivered a scathing rebuke to Ramaphosa about the ministers he appointed to be part of his Cabinet, President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected claims that the recommendation made by the State Capture Commission has been swept under the carpet. Ramaphosa on Monday claimed that there had been significant progress in implementing accountability measures and institutional reforms. Zondo blasts Ramaphosa Last week, former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo expressed the pain he had to endure to swear in corrupt Cabinet ministers who had serious state capture findings against them. Zondo said that more than 30 years after democracy, corruption has reached crippling levels as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) comes under scrutiny with concerns and questions raised about its handling of state capture-related cases. He delivered a scathing rebuke to Ramaphosa about the ministers he appointed to be part of his Cabinet, '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,' Zondo said. ALSO READ: Zondo blasts Ramaphosa over state capture and corrupt ministers Progress report On Monday, the Presidency released the latest progress report on the implementation of actions arising from Ramaphosa's response to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission, showing significant progress across both accountability measures and institutional reforms. It said Ramaphosa also submitted the report to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. 'The report, covering the period up to the end of Quarter 4 2024/25, reveals that of the 60 actions identified in the President's October 2022 Response Plan, 48% are complete or substantially complete, 23% are on track, and 29% are delayed but receiving attention'. Action Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said that while the president acknowledged there are challenges with the NPA, he maintains that action is being taken against individuals implicated in the looting of state funds. 'The progress outlined in this report demonstrates the 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. 'Government has recovered nearly R11 billion in stolen public funds, strengthened our law enforcement capacity and implemented comprehensive reforms across government. 'However, this work is far from complete. President Ramaphosa remain committed to the full implementation of the State Capture Commission's recommendations and to rebuilding public trust in our institutions,' Magwenya said. Magwenya added that Ramaphosa emphasised that the 'effectiveness of these reforms will ultimately be measured by their ability' to prevent future occurrences of state capture and restore public trust in state institutions. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa's actions on state capture are 'major reforms that will take years' – Presidency report
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Analysts warn SA risks repeating mistakes without action on Zondo report
Analysts weigh in on the former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo's reflections on the emotional toll of the State Capture Commission. Image: Supplied Analysts have weighed in on former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo's recent reflections about the emotional toll of presiding over South Africa's controversial State Capture Commission, stating that it highlights challenges in South Africa's anti-corruption efforts. In a recent statement that has sparked widespread debate, Zondo expressed the emotional toll of presiding over South Africa's controversial State Capture Commission. He reflected on the personal discomfort of swearing in officials implicated in corruption, including members of parliament, despite the damning evidence uncovered by the commission. His remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of the country's efforts to combat systemic corruption and the efficacy of commissions of inquiry. Speaking openly last week about his experiences, Zondo conveyed the pain of holding a position that, while vital for uncovering corruption, often resulted in uncomfortable realities. 'I had to swear in Cabinet ministers who had serious state capture findings against them,' he said, highlighting his role's moral and emotional complexity. Although the commission's work was widely praised and criticised for its thoroughness, questions remain about the tangible outcomes of such investigations. Analysts and academics have weighed in on Zondo's sentiments, stating that commissions are, by design, investigative and advisory bodies rather than judicial authorities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Political analyst Dr Metjie Mkagoba, a senior lecturer at the University of Limpopo, explained, 'The issue is that commissions like Zondo's are meant to establish facts and make recommendations, not to deliver judgments or direct legal consequences.' He further noted the disconnect between uncovering evidence and translating findings into action. 'We spend vast sums on these commissions… more than R1 billion in the case of the Zondo Commission, yet there's often little follow-through regarding prosecution or systemic reform. That's a fundamental challenge in our governance.' Mkagoba pointed out that in South Africa, commissions are frequently used more for public humiliation than for delivering justice, often serving as a political tool rather than a pathway to accountability. 'Commission reports can expose who is corrupt, but unless there is political will to act, those findings remain largely symbolic,' he said. This sentiment echoes a 2024 Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) report highlighting that the Zondo Commission's recommendations are non-binding. The report states: 'Implementation of the Commission's recommendations is at the discretion of the President, and progress in Parliament has been slow and inconsistent.' It highlights the structural and political hurdles that hinder translating investigative findings into concrete legal actions. The timing of Zondo's comments coincides with renewed efforts to address police corruption, notably President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent announcement of a new commission to investigate allegations of organised crime involving top police officials and politicians, after General Lieutenant Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made the revelation. In response, Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said, 'The former chief justice has had access to the president whenever there were matters of concern to be discussed.' Meanwhile, critics argue that South Africa's approach to corruption remains fragmented. While commissions like Zondo's have shed light on widespread misconduct, the lack of follow-up action diminishes their overall impact. Mkagoba lamented, 'We need to move beyond investigations and ensure that political will and legal processes work hand-in-hand to hold perpetrators accountable.' IOL Politics
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Zondo blasts Ramaphosa over state capture and corrupt ministers
Zondo speaks of his 'pain' in swearing in corrupt ministers. Chief Justice Raymond Zondo (L) hands over the state capture report to President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Building in Pretoria. Picture: Twitter/@PresidencyZA Former chief justice Raymond Zondo has expressed the pain he had to ensure to swear in corrupt cabinet ministers who had serious state capture findings against them Zondo made the remarks on the sidelines of a South African Council of Churches (SACC) anti-corruption summit on Wednesday. State capture commission Rampant corruption was revealed during the hearings before the commission chaired by Zondo that was established in January 2018. The commission, which cost close to R1 billion, wrapped up its proceedings with Zondo handing his final report to President Cyril Ramaphosa in June 2022. About 1,400 individuals were implicated during the commission. It exposed corruption at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), State Security Agency (SSA), Eskom and SABC, and called for prosecutions, further probes, and systemic reforms. ALSO READ: 'Ramaphosa will go down in history as one of the most useless presidents' – analyst Corruption Zondo said that more than 30 years after democracy, corruption had reached crippling levels. He delivered a scathing rebuke to Ramaphosa about the ministers he had appointed to be part of his Cabinet, '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,'' Zondo told the Sunday Times. 'The recommendations that were made were based on evidence that was led transparently, when the whole nation was watching… We are defending the report because we believe it is sound. 'But yes, I had to swear them in, remembering what I found against them,' Zondo said in an unprecedented attack by such a senior judicial officer on a sitting president. Ramaphosa response While The Citizen has contacted Ramaphosa's spokesperson for comment, he told the paper the president would not be drawn into a public spat with Zondo. 'The former chief justice has had access to the president whenever there were matters of concern to be discussed. 'The president will respond directly to the former chief justice should [he] seek an opportunity to raise his issues through a direct and constructive engagement,' he said. Presidency report In 2023, the Presidency published a detailed report on the implementation of the actions on Ramaphosa's response to the recommendations of the state capture report. It followed Ramaphosa's own 76-page state capture implementation plan, which he submitted to Parliament in October 2022. The president's response to the recommendations of the state capture inquiry outlined his plan of action, as well as his stance and commitment to fighting corruption within the government. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa's actions on state capture are 'major reforms that will take years' – Presidency report Recommendations In its 16 main recommendations, the Zondo commission found that Parliament failed in its oversight role to hold the executive to account after several state institutions were captured, costing the state billions. It said the recommendations by Zondo were mainly in relation to the national legislature's oversight mandate. Mchunu inquiry Referring to the latest inquiry ordered by Ramaphosa, in which acting deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga will probe the allegations of KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Zondo said the way the government had responded to the state capture commission did not bode well. 'My feelings are that people in South Africa have seen how slow the progress is with the implementation of the commission's recommendations, even regarding those recommendations that are being implemented.' '[Will] the same not happen to the [Madlanga] commission … because this commission is also important.' National dialogue Zondo also expressed doubts over the upcoming national dialogue, saying he was concerned about basic failings in the country that should be fixed without having to convene such a forum. 'I don't want to say it's a bad thing … [but] I'm concerned about simple things that don't need a national dialogue. I'm concerned about making sure that in municipalities we have competent people who are doing their job, people who have integrity'. ALSO READ: D-Day for Ramaphosa's plan of action on state capture report 'Ramaphosa inconsistent Zondo told the SACC event on Wednesday that Ramaphosa had been 'inconsistent' in disciplining cabinet ministers implicated in wrongdoing, citing the recent scandals involving the minister of human settlements, Thembi Simelane, embattled police minister Senzo Mchunu, who has been placed on special leave, and the now-fired higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane. 'So the question arises, what is the rule? As a minister, when do you get shifted to another department and continue to be a minister and enjoy your position and benefits even though there are allegations against you? When do you get out on special leave, and when do you get removed? 'The president is the No. 1 citizen in the country. It is very important that the message he sends, through what he does and through what he says, must be consistent,' Zondo said. Swearing in ministers Zondo said this is similar to what happened two years ago. 'I found myself having to swear in ministers against whom I had made adverse findings in the commission. One was a deputy minister who was now promoted to a full minister, and I had to swear them in, knowing the findings I had made. 'Another one was the deputy minister who was a chairperson of the portfolio committee who had previously been minister of transport, and I had made findings against them, and the president was promoting them despite the findings of the commission. What does that do to our fight against corruption?' Zondo said. Ridding SA of corruption Zondo said for the country to effectively rid itself of corruption, it needs to hold the executive to account and not compromise on those who serve in the highest offices of the land. He said that those facing corruption allegations should not be appointed to any positions. 'There are many people who have no allegations of fraud or corruption hanging over their heads who qualify to be ministers,' said Zondo. 'Even in the same party, there is no reason why somebody should be appointed before they clear themselves of such allegations. But also, there are people in public service who are allowed to continue with their work as usual even when there are findings of wrongdoing against them. The state simply allows them to continue. This is not the kind of leadership we need if we are going to fight corruption.' 'Consequences' In November 2022 in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said there must be consequences for those who had plundered South Africa and involved in state capture. He also said the country had learnt its lesson in plundering money over the years of state capture 'As we recover from state capture, we must ensure there are consequences for the perpetrators of state capture. We also need to make sure that public institutions can never be weakened in this way again,' Ramaphosa said. Ramaphosa said South Africa needed to build a public service that is professional, ethical and driven by merit. ALSO READ: WATCH: Moeletsi Mbeki criticises Ramaphosa: 'He's been a very weak president'
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Zondo and SACC urge immediate action as South Africa's corruption crisis escalates
Siyabonga Sithole | Published 5 hours ago With the country's anti-corruption fight reflecting a worrying trend, former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and the South African Council of Churches (SACC) have voiced their widespread condemnation of South Africa's endemic graft, which has now reached critical crisis levels. This comes on the back of a high number of high-profile corruption-related arrests implicating some of the country's leading political figures. The SACC stated that pastors who live and show off their lavish lifestyles at the expense of poor congregants are no different from corrupt politicians. This is as the SACC continues to reflect on the scourge as part of its National Anti-Corruption conference currently under way in Johannesburg. Opposition political parties and analysts have weighed in on the country's dismal attempts at reigning in the scourge. Zondo, speaking during his address to the conference's delegates on Wednesday, indicated that the bending of rules to favour certain important people was at the heart of the country's corruption problem. "We bend the rules when we have done something wrong because that has happened when it should not have happened. The church must be the one that leads us. It must tell the rest of us not to bend the rules. The rules apply to everybody," he stated. Zondo also questioned the resolution taken by the ANC in 2007 to disband the Scorpions in favour of the Hawks, currently tasked with investigating high-profile cases. The Activists and Citizens Forum, through its spokesperson, Denis Bloem, said corruption will be hard to beat as long as the ANC still holds power. "The country believed that under former president Jacob Zuma's administration, corruption was at its peak. However, the country was mistaken. Corruption is worse now and out of control under President Cyril Ramaphosa's administration. " The reason why there is no end to corruption is that the government is infiltrated by criminals masquerading as political leaders. Meanwhile, they are the biggest thieves. "General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told the country a few weeks ago that the South African Police Service is infiltrated by criminal syndicates and that some politicians are also on the payroll of these syndicates. Activists and Citizens Forum believe that corruption will not end as long as the ANC is in power. We know this so-called Government of National Unity is just a rubber stamp for the ANC," said Bloem. Reflecting on the excessive levels of corruption and fraud in the country, Rise Mzansi national spokesperson, Mabine Seabe, said the country's problems are not new, adding that all societies are affected by corruption. "Corruption is not a recent phenomenon, nor is it unique to a particular sector of society. What is of alarming concern is that it has taken hold of every aspect of life, where almost every service requires or can be extracted through corrupt means. The Zondo Commission illustrated the industrial nature of corruption with both the private and public sectors lubricating corrupt actions," he said. As for the recent bombshell by KZN Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, which has implicated senior politicians and the SAPS, Seabe welcomed the recently established Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into the criminal elements in the country's political elite and the police. "Moreover, the allegations made by Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi point to a nexus between powerful elites and organised crime. "We believe that the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry and Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations are well-placed to probe the alleged collapse and capture of South Africa's safety, security, and justice apparatus; hold those responsible accountable; and recommend the necessary reforms," Seabe added. Attempts to get a comment from the ANC, which has been accused of failing to root out corruption among its leaders, were unsuccessful at the time of going to print. However, this week, ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, addressed the recent developments affecting Senzo Mchunu during the ANC's National Working Committee (NWC) meeting with the Provincial Executive Committee, saying the party welcomed Ramaphosa's decision to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the allegations against Mchunu. "Senzo Mchunu has an opportunity now, in terms of the audi alteram partem principle, to also present his side of the story . Once we listen to that, it is also evaluated in terms of facts by a competent, independent judge, and a judicial commission, like the president appointed, then we can pass judgment," he said. [email protected]
