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SAFRICA-CORRUPTION-INVESTIGATION
South Africa inquiry into top-level state graft opens
JOHANNESBURG, Aug 20, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A judicial inquiry into alleged
corruption at the top of government in South Africa is scheduled to open on
Monday when the first public hearings begin.
The hearings by a panel led by the country’s second highest judge, Deputy
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, will probe allegations of corruption and fraud
in the public sector during former president Jacob Zuma’s tenure.
Although the panel does not have powers to arrest or prosecute, evidence it
collects can be used in any future prosecution.
Zuma appointed the judicial inquiry into the alleged graft in January on
the orders of a high court.
A month later, on February 14, he was forced to resign from office as
criticism grew from within the ruling ANC party over multiple corruption
scandals.
State corruption in post-apartheid South Africa was first exposed formally
two years ago by the country’s former ombudswoman Thuli Madonsela, who issued
a damning report and called for a judicial inquiry into Zuma’s relationship
with a wealthy business family.
Zuma was accused of being in the sway of the Guptas – a wealthy family of
Indian origin – allegedly granting them influence over government
appointments, contracts and state-owned businesses.
Pravin Gordhan, a former finance minister, but now responsible for state
companies, has estimated that around 100 billion rand ($6.8 billion) of state
funds may have been looted through corrupt practices.
Justice Zondo has vowed that the investigation into the so-called “state
capture”, will be carried out thoroughly regardless of who is being
investigated.
“I will investigate anybody and everybody no matter who he or she is. This
commission will do its job properly. We owe that to the people of South
Africa.” he said earlier this year.
The first witnesses to appear before the commission include a former deputy
finance minister Mcebisi Jonas, an ANC lawmaker Mabel Mentor and the former
government spokesman Themba Maseko.
The local Sunday Times said Zuma has been “invited” to appear before the
panel, but the commission’s spokesman declined to comment on the newspaper
report.
Initially tasked to probe and conclude its findings within six months, the
commission has asked for an extension of up to two years.
Zuma’s successor as president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has vowed to crack down on
government corruption, which he has admitted was a serious problem.
“I would hope that the inquiry gets to the bottom of how the South African
state was captured in the way it was and what can be done to prevent this
from happening again,” David Lewis, the executive director of South Africa’s
non-profit organisation Corruption Watch, told AFP.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0838 hrs