Renewal project set to be uphill battle

Commissions of inquiry have been a feature of political life in South Africa since 1994. However, the Seriti and Zondo commissions arguably represent the most explicit proof of the scourge of corruption in South Africa.

The Seriti inquiry into the arms deal was handed over to former president Jacob Zuma in 2016. This commission found no evidence of the 1999 arms deal corruption. However, Justice Raymond Zondo, whose commission also probed allegations of corruption, has handed over two of three reports to President Cyril Ramaphosa six years later.

Erosion of ethical conduct

Ramaphosa’s renewal project, underscored by a commitment to fight corruption and strengthen governance, has gained traction over the past two years. But, as the Zondo report makes it abundantly clear, South Africa is struggling to respond to the complexities of graft.

Too many people entrusted to lead have abandoned the cardinal rule that ethical conduct is central to leadership. But no government should sit back as citizens’ livelihoods are destroyed by criminal elements within its ranks. We therefore need to credit Ramaphosa for his intention to implement commission’s recommendations.

Ramaphosa on trial

Several incidents after the release of the Zondo commission report indicate what we can expect when the final report is released. Of note are statements by several ANC members that seem to differ from Ramaphosa’s about the need to support the implementation of the commission’s recommendations. Somehow, Ramaphosa will be on trial this year.

The ANC holds its elective conference at the end of the year. Besides the political disinformation strategies that often precede such conferences, 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 is willing to risk his aspiration for a second term to serve the interests of citizens.

Beyond the politics

The Zondo Commission’s report will be fruitless unless there’s political will to act on the recommendations. But with the bickering against the report and Ramaphosa set to grow louder, we should consider the advice of former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke, who said integrity in public spaces is indispensable.

Matebesi is associate professor and head of the department of sociology at the University of the Free State