The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture


The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, also known as the Zondo Commission of Inquiry or Zondo Commission, is a public inquiry launched by the government of Cyril Ramaphosa in August 2018 to "investigate allegations of State Capture, Corruption, Fraud and other allegations in the Public Sector including Organs of State" in South Africa. In setting up the Zondo commission, the president was implementing the recommendations by the public protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela. In 2016, Advocate Madonsela launched an investigation into state capture after receiving a formal complaint from a Catholic priest, namely Father Stanslaus Muyebe. In her report, following the investigation, she recommended that the president sets up a commission of inquiry into the state capture. The Zondo Commission is headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Most testimonies were given to the inquiry has focused on allegations of corruption during the administration of former President Jacob Zuma. During this time not a single person has been prosecuted or charged, it's as if the inquiry was setup as a gimmick to allow all those guilty to die of old age.

Issues covered

A range of testimonies were given on a number of corruption and state capture related issues such as:

Angelo Agrizzi

Chief Operating Officer Angelo Agrizzi made national headlines when he testified to the commission that the company systematically gave substantial bribes to South African government officials to ensure that the company received government contracts and was not investigated. Agrizzi's testimony implicated then President Zuma, notable government minister Nomvula Mokonyane, chairperson of South African Airways Dudu Myeni, and ANC politician Gwede Mantashe.

Jacob Zuma

Former president Jacob Zuma gave testimony at the hearing regarding his role in state capture and corruption activities during his presidency. On the first day of his testimony he claimed that there was a foreign backed conspiracy against him and that some of those testifying against him were apartheid era-spies. Zuma accused the Zondo Commission of being a tool to end his political career. Zuma admitted to having a friendly relationship with the Gupta brothers but denied engaging in any corrupt activities. Following the first day of Zuma's testimony, the Democratic Alliance accused Zuma of trying to play the victim and misleading the commission.
During Zuma's second day of testimony he claimed that he was the target of a suicide bombing assassination attempt, the South African Police Service later stated that they were unaware of any such event taking place. Zuma controversially accused senior ANC member, Ngoako Ramatlhodi, of being a spy involved in a conspiracy against him. During the third day of Zuma's testimony he accused the commission of being biased against him and threatened to withdraw his cooperation from the commission. On the fourth day Zuma's legal team announced that it would be withdrawing from the commission but later the same day announced that he changed his mind and would return to give additional testimony at a later date.
Following Zuma's testimony to the commission, South African media speculated that the chances of Zuma being later charged and convicted for crimes committed during his administration or for giving false testimony to the commission had increased.