Remember when Thanos got the last infinity stone? We imagine that’s how President Cyril Ramaphosa is feeling now after receiving the fifth and sixth reports into state capture on Wednesday night. This is one more than initially expected (six infinity stones, six reports. Just saying). Quite unfortunate that, unlike Thanos, Ramaphosa can’t just snap state capture crooks into jail (or even oblivion, really).
Marvel references aside, there was actually a bit of a drama in the run-up to the reports release.
Newly appointed Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who headed up the commission of inquiry into state capture, missed his court-appointed deadline. Then the president and the chief justice had to assure the nation that a phone call Zondo made to the president on Monday was not improper. “The president never interfered in any way with the work of the chairperson or of the commission.”
There’s a LOT in these final reports, which each come in several volumes. As with the others, they zoom into large-scale corruption at key government entities like the State Security Agency, Crime Intelligence, the SABC and the Passenger Rail Agency Of South Africa. It also looks at key incidents during the Gupta families’ reign over state resources including the Waterkloof Landing, The Vrede Integrated Dairy Project and issues like the role of the ANC in facilitating state capture and parliamentary oversight.
Some highlights: The report found that former State Security Agency director Arthur Fraser (the #Farmgate Deep Throat himself – more on this later) had friends in high places. Former president Jacob Zuma and former state security minister Siyabonga Cwele halted an investigation by the Hawks into Fraser, paving the way for him to later be appointed director-general of the SSA and correctional services commissioner. We’re betting Ramaphosa is regretting his gentle touch with him, post #Farmgate. 😏
The SSA played a crucial role in state capture by the Gupta family, Zondo found. It was also heavily politicised, often engaging in activities that were designed to benefit Zuma and his cronies.
Ramaphosa was also called out in the reports, with Zondo saying he could have weakened state capture’s grip on the country.
Zondo found that the ANC under former president Jacob Zuma “permitted, supported and enabled corruption and state capture”. He questioned whether it could have been arrested had then deputy president Ramaphosa “acted swiftly”.
So what happens now?
In line with a directive of the High Court, Ramaphosa has four months to formally present the full report to Parliament together with how he will implement the commission’s recommendations. Commentators are expecting a Cabinet reshuffle to coincide with the measures announced – Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe is implicated in the report.
It’s quite unlikely that the kingpins of state capture will come quietly. The challenge is now on for President Ramaphosa to stand firm in his promise to fight corruption. The time is now, Cyril. Phakama.
