President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is making progress in bringing to book those responsible for state capture.
The President made the remarks while addressing the recent National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council’s (NACAC) National Dialogue in Gauteng.
He pointed out that among the billions of Rands that have been retrieved from corrupt elements, there were at least nine separate court cases. These involved 47 individuals and 21 companies.
“Freezing orders amounting to R14 billion have been authorised by the Asset Forfeiture Unit and a total of R5.4 billion has been recovered and returned to the state. Government departments, municipalities and professional bodies are taking disciplinary action against individuals identified by the State Capture Commission (Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture).
“The South African Revenue Service has collected R4.9 billion in unpaid taxes as a result of evidence brought before the State Capture Commission. While there is a long road ahead, the fight against corruption is gaining momentum,” the President said. 
Over the last five years, he said, significant resources have been invested to “rebuild the law enforcement agencies and other bodies that were devastated by state capture”.
“We appointed new leadership with the track record, integrity and capability to tackle crime and corruption. We are now in the process of developing legislation that will insulate the appointment and removal processes for key positions shown to be vulnerable to state capture.
“In 2018, we established the NPA Investigating Directorate to focus on state capture and other serious crimes. We established the Special Tribunal to enable the Special Investigating Unit to fast track the recovery of public funds.
“In November 2020, Cabinet adopted the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, whose six strategic pillars anchor the deliberations of this National Dialogue,” he said.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged that corruption has a significant impact not only on state coffers but in the belief that citizens have in government.
“All South Africans suffer…when goods, services and resources meant for public benefit are misappropriated, mismanaged and stolen and when that happens, it is the poor who suffer most.
“Corruption carries a huge opportunity cost…it imposes a huge burden on the lives of our people. Economic growth is stifled and businesses suffer. President Ramaphosa said next year, both progress and failings will be acknowledged.
“We will reflect on the progressive policies that have enabled millions of our people to be lifted out of absolute poverty and that have provided…basic necessities which they didn’t have…such as housing, electricity, water and other basic services,” the President said. SAnews.gov.za
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