Commissions of inquiry have been a feature of political life in SA since 1994. However, the Seriti and Zondo commissions arguably represent the most explicit evidence of the scourge of corruption in democratic SA.
The Seriti inquiry into the arms deal, which cost R137m, was handed over to former president Jacob Zuma in 2016. This commission found no evidence of the 1999 arms deal corruption. Justice Raymond Zondo would hand over one of his three reports to President Cyril Ramaphosa in early January six years later.
Despite their similarities – in investigating allegations of widespread corruption – there are several fundamental differences.
The Seriti commission’s chairperson and commissioner were referred to the Judicial Service Commission on charges of gross misconduct. A full panel of the North Gauteng High Court found the commission omitted crucial facts before concluding there was no proof of corruption.
Contrarily, evidence presented to the Zondo commission has already had dire consequences for several individuals, politicians and state-owned and private companies in SA and abroad.
Ramaphosa’s commitment to fighting corruption and strengthening governance has gained traction over the past two years. Nevertheless, as the Zondo report makes clear, SA is struggling to respond effectively to the complexities of corruption and money laundering.
Too many men and women entrusted to lead this glorious nation have abandoned the cardinal rule that ethical conduct was central to leadership. Instead, they have knowingly become corrupt conduits to collapse democratic institutions and practices.
No competent government will fold its hands and watch as its citizens’ livelihoods are destroyed by criminal elements within and outside its ranks, as reported by the Zondo commission. However, we need to credit Ramaphosa – with all his leadership flaws – for his statement to implement the recommendations without fear or favour.
In any event, civil society organisations and liberal democratic institutions are converging, to challenge attempts to circumvent the recommendations.
Several incidences after the release of the Zondo report indicate what we can expect when the final report is released. Of note were some ANC members’ statements that seemed to differ from Ramaphosa about the need to implement the recommendations.
Ramaphosa will be on trial – fairly or unfairly – during the year. He will have to overcome challenges, including the dismal performance of the ANC during the 2021 local government elections and his stance on corruption.
The ANC will hold its elective conference at the end of the year. Some defenders of democracy implicated in the Zondo report may join beleaguered activists to crush opponents and settle scores.
Others, however, may take the findings against them on review. Surmounting these threats from within the ANC will depend on the extent to which the president and his supporters are willing to risk his aspiration for a second term instead of serving the long-term interests of SA citizens.
The Zondo report will remain largely fruitless unless it goes hand-in-hand with political will and oversight to act on recommendations with the prima facie of wrongdoing and criminality. Without the latter, we need to ask serious questions about parliament, and the executive’s ability to solve political matters often offloaded onto commissions of inquiry.
While I understand the need for an independent anti-corruption agency and other measures to fight graft, we conveniently ignore how the auditor-general’s reports detailing rampant corruption and blatant criminality (not irregular expenditure as the elite want us to believe) are ignored year-after-year.
What difference will these measures bring when you still have leaders and officials with malign influence on procurement procedures?
The bickering against the Zondo report and Ramaphosa will grow louder and dominate the SA political landscape over the next few months. We should consider the advice of former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke, who once noted that integrity in public spaces is indispensable.
• Prof Matebesi is associate professor and head of the department of sociology at University of the Free State
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