SOCIAL JUSTICE BY JESSIE TAYLOR
Social Justice and Economic Inclusion in South Africa National Prosecuting Authority acts to prevent future state capture
F
ollowing the release of a report by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State (Zondo Commission), a specialised task team will be established by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The NPA is the organisation mandated by the Constitution to institute criminal proceedings on behalf of the State and to carry out any necessary functions incidental to instituting criminal proceedings. REFLECTING ON PAST FAILINGS The Zondo Commission was established to investigate widespread and high-level corruption allegations among government agencies. The hearings, which lasted for more than 400 days, included testimony from almost 280 witnesses and
collected materials amounting to a petabyte of data, equivalent to roughly 500 billion pages of printed text, on corruption, fraud and related offences. This evidence includes affidavits, investigative reports and other evidential material. The first part of the report identified several public figures the NPA can act against in the upcoming months, as evidence is readily available. Some of the charges include contravening the Public Finances Management Act and perjury. The Commission's work documents the extent of state capture that befell South Africa and how such capture occurred, said NPA spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga. "The Commission must be commended for this important work that demonstrates that South Africa has the political maturity and wherewithal to mount an
32 | Public Sector Leaders | February 2022
effective enquiry into one of the darkest periods of the postapartheid era. The Commission's recommendations will allow for the strengthening of the rule of law in South Africa, ensuring that no one, irrespective of their power, position or wealth, is above the law. South Africans deserve nothing less," said Advocate Mhaga. The report also recommended further investigation and prosecution against several individuals. A second and third part of the report will be handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa by the end of February. President Ramaphosa said: "This is a defining moment in our country's effort to definitively end the era of state capture and to restore the integrity, credibility and capability of our institutions, but more importantly, our government. The formal handover of the first
