Corruption Watch is one of 19 organisations from the Civil Society Working Group (CSWG) on State Capture who have written an open letter to Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo urging him to give priority to a list of key state capture witnesses whose testimony has not yet been heard. The group wants Zondo to use his powers to compel those named to appear.
The commission is due to end its hearing sessions in March 2021, after receiving a final extension from the High Court in Pretoria.
This list of 101 priority witnesses is informed by the CSWG’s “ongoing, robust, evidence-based work”, said the letter, and features a wide range of actors including public officials, individuals and private corporations. “It is clear that the state capture network was not just about the Gupta family and corrupt politicians and public servants. Large corporations, including private banks, consulting firms, legal firms and audit firms have played a role too.”
The list is said to include ANC secretary-general (SG) Ace Magashule, deputy SG Jesse Duarte, state security minister Ayanda Dlodlo, former Hawks head Anwa Dramat, former minister of telecommunications and postal services Siyabonga Cwele, former finance minister Malusi Gigaba, and former national director of public prosecutions Shaun Abrahams. Representatives of FNB, Standard Bank and Absa banks are also named.
In February this year the CSWG submitted its Agenda for Action which made recommendations to Zondo on how to reform the state and private sector in the wake of state capture. The submission aimed to put on the agenda the role of banks, law firms, consultancies and accountants as enablers of corruption.
Read the full letter:
Dear Justice Zondo,
We write to you as concerned members of the Civil Society Working Group on State Capture, which represents more than 20 civil society organisations. In just five months, the Commission must submit its findings on the allegations of state capture brought before it. The public is looking to the Commission for powerful findings that fully expose all those responsible for and complicit in state capture, and that provide a path towards accountability and redress.
In late February 2020, the Civil Society Working Group on State Capture launched its joint submission to the Zondo Commission – An Agenda for Action. The Agenda for Action is based on detailed submissions made to the Zondo Commission by organisations of the Working Group.
We commend the Commission for its stern stance against former President Zuma, whose testimony is vital to uncovering the truth about state capture. State capture cuts deep, millions of people in our country have been deeply affected by corruption and state capture. On 12 October 2019, the Working Group hosted the People’s Hearing on State Capture and heard testimony from affected members of the public, community leaders and activists on how state capture has impacted their lives and their communities.
In 2019, the Commission made the decision to narrow its terms of reference to enable it to complete its mandate in a timeous and comprehensive manner. Civil Society supported the decision to focus on damning allegations in the Public Protector’s ‘State Capture’ report completed in 2016.
The terms of reference require the Commission to make findings on the conduct and role of former President Zuma during his tenure as President, numerous allegations against the Gupta family, and the role played by numerous private companies and individuals in relation to state capture at state-owned enterprises including Eskom, Prasa, Denel, Transnet, Bosasa, Free State (Estina Dairy farm & asbestos cases), and SAA.
Justice Zondo, we believe that it is crucial, now more than ever, for the Commission to compel key actors to appear before it and answer the important and pressing questions about their role in state capture and corruption. We applaud your commitment and determination to hear evidence from all material witnesses in the time remaining.
You confirmed during a media briefing on 4 June 2020 that, in the interest of time, key witnesses would be prioritised. We now urge the Commission to use the fullest extent of its powers to compel the key witnesses and implicated parties to appear before it, as considered in August 2020.
In view of the limited time left for the Commission to fulfil its mandate, we continue in our efforts to support the Commission’s work to hold these powerful actors to account, without fear or favour, by sharing a ‘Key State Capture Witness List’ (find attached hereto) showing persons who can share vital information with the Commission according to its terms of reference. This list is not all encompassing but we firmly believe that these individuals and corporations will add great value to the Commission’s findings.
This list is informed by the ongoing, robust, evidence-based work of the Civil Society Working Group on State Capture and contains a wide range of actors including public officials, individuals and private corporations. It is clear that the state capture network was not just about the Gupta family and corrupt politicians and public servants. Large corporations, including private banks, consulting firms, legal firms and audit firms have played a role too.
Only when these key actors come and share their knowledge with the Commission, and the public has proper insight into the workings of state capture, will the Commission have fulfilled its duty and table strong findings that address not only the symptoms, but also the roots of state capture.
The Civil Society Working Group on State Capture continues to support the work of the Commission and champions holding corrupt actors to account. Justice Zondo, we believe that calling these witnesses is essential to the success of the Commission in exposing state capture networks that continue to present a fundamental challenge to the wellbeing of South Africa and those who live in it.
Furthermore, given the looming deadlines for the Commission to wrap up its work, kindly indicate whether cases that have not been completed will be referred to other state anti-corruption agencies for investigation? If this is the intention of the Commission, who will be tasked with monitoring the investigation of these matters in future, and by when will these cases be referred and how will this information be made public?
In solidarity against state capture.
Yours sincerely,
This letter is endorsed by the following CSWG organisations:
Alternative Information & Development Centre
Black Sash
Centre for Applied Legal Studies
Corruption Watch
Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution
Equal Education
Freedom Under Law
Legal Resources Centre
MyVoteCounts
Open Secrets
Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse
Public Affairs Research Institute
Public Service Accountability Monitor
Right2Know
Rural Health Advocacy Project
SECTION27
Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute
Treatment Action Campaign
Womxn and Democracy Initiative
