President Cyril Ramaphosa announces changes to combat state capture and corruption
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday, 23 October about the State Capture Commission of Enquiry, including changes to the country’s laws and established new agencies to combat corruption.
“I am addressing you this evening on the fulfilment of a
responsibility that was given to the President of the Republic nearly six years
ago”.
“Yesterday, I submitted to Parliament Cabinet’s response to
the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of
State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector”, he said.
In his address, the president outlined the long journey of
the state capture commission, which led to the final report six years after the
deep-rooted corruption within state structures was exposed.
“This evening, I wish to outline the critical actions that
government is taking, and the work that has already been done, to give effect
to the Commission’s recommendations and forever bring an end to state capture
in our country”.
“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 added.
Ramaphosa then reiterated that the effects of stage capture
are evident in South Africa, through state entities that remain ruined by
financial and administrative problems, as well as the failure of the local and
national government departments to deliver services to the population
effectively.
“The corruption that was perpetrated is a crime against the
people of South Africa. Corruption is a betrayal of our democracy and an
assault on the institutions that we established together to advance the values
of our Constitution and the interests of our people”.
“The money that was stolen robbed our people of resources
that should have led to the development of our country and improved livelihoods”.
“Yet, even as state capture and corruption sought to compromise our democracy
and destroy our institutions, our democracy remained resilient and the people
of South Africa stood defiant and resolute”.
“Despite our achievement at bringing state capture to an
end, its effect remains”, the president said.
He said that the state capture commission made 95
recommendations, which include a number of wide-sweeping changes involving
policy and even constitutional reforms. In order to fight corruption, Ramaphosa
announced several interventions, the most important of these, is making the
Independent Directorate permanent.
The president also spoke about the how greed, selfishness
and abuse of power have destroyed the Nation.
"As we celebrated this fulfilment of the struggle of the
South African people for democracy and peace, few could have imagined the
depths to which our country would be dragged by greed, selfishness and the
abuse of power."
"Few could have imagined that from among the leadership of
our public institutions, from within our business circles, from among our public
representatives and public servants, would emerge a network of criminal intent", Ramaphosa highlighted.
By Lulama Klassen
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