Corruption In South Africa: South Africa To Make Reforms To Combat Corruption
Corruption in South Africa. In order to address the recommendations made by the State Capture Commission of Enquiry, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the processes and changes that are currently underway to address these recommendations. These include changes to the country’s laws as well as the establishment of new agencies that will focus on fighting corruption.
In his address to the nation on the evening of Sunday, October 23, the President provided an overview of the lengthy process that the State Capture Commission underwent in order to produce its final report. This process happened six years after it was found that there was a lot of corruption in state structures.
According to Ramaphosa, the consequences of stage capture are still visible in South African society today. These effects can be seen in the way that financial and administrative problems continue to hold back state institutions and in the way that local and national government departments can’t provide services to the public in an efficient way.
He said that after studying and looking into state capture for years, South Africans are finally ready for something to be done.
He stated that more than one thousand businesses and entities are likely connected to state capture and corruption. He also stated that, via the commission, a host of adjustments have been made to guarantee that the country does not fall into the same trap in the future.
According to the statements made by the President, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of State Capture Ultimately Produced 95 Recommendations, Which Include A Number Of Broad-Scale Changes Involving Policy And Even Constitutional Reforms. The government has responded to these, and President Cyril Ramaphosa has suggested many changes and processes that will be put into place soon or are already happening.
The following are some of the upcoming alterations that Ramaphosa emphasized in his speech:
- An independent anti-corruption agency for procurement and an anti-corruption unit will form part of a fundamental redesign of the country’s anti-corruption architecture. A comprehensive proposal will be produced for public consultation, finalisation, and execution.
- Legislative amendments will make appointing the National Director of Public Prosecutions more transparent.
- Procurement will come under focus. The Public Procurement Bill will be finalised and submitted by early 2023. This will include a code of conduct around procurement and making procurement more transparent.
- Lifestyle audits for the cabinet are being handled within the presidency and conducted by an independent third party.
- New processes for the appointment of boards of SOEs will be put in place, so it is not open to tampering. This includes independent reviews and panels for appointments. No board members will be allowed to be involved with procurement processes. Ministers will be prohibited from playing any role in procurement at SOEs.
- A deep probe into the collapse of Prasa is ongoing. The government is considering setting up a commission to delve deeper into the problems.
- Private sector players had a role in state capture – such as management consultants, local and foreign; advisors, consultants; lawyers; bankers; providers of goods and services. Amendments will be made to laws under review, criminalising donations to political parties in return for contracts; disbarring dishonest and corrupt organisations; and making failure to prevent bribery an offence.
- New intelligence laws will implement many recommendations, including improving oversight of both local and international activities.
- Protecting whistleblowers and encouraging those to come forward with information. This will ensure whistleblowers will be protected from prosecution.
- Proposals to change election laws through electoral reform are under consideration. This requires constitutional changes, so the process needs to be thorough and take views from all stakeholders. Consultations with political parties and the population need to take place.
- For recommendations around parliament, deputy president David Mabuza will interface with parliament to address the commission’s recommendations. The separation of powers allows parliament to forge its own path.
- National Treasury will engage with Parliament to ensure Parliament is resourced to do its work.
Progress on all the commission’s recommendations will be communicated to the nation in regular updates, the president said.
“The people of South Africa are tired of corruption and want it to end. People who are involved in corruption must know that all the instruments of the state will be used to bring them to book. There will be nowhere to hide,” he said.
Now that the response to state capture has been submitted to parliament, the president said that lawmakers would now deliberate and debate a way forward.
