strict security SONA 2023

Strict security measures have been put in place around the Cape Town City Hall for SONA 2023. Image: Flickr

SONA 2022: State Capture report to be ‘acted upon,’ says Ramaphosa

Having received two thirds of the State Capture Commission’s report, President Cyril Ramaphosa says ‘there was indeed state capture’

strict security SONA 2023

Strict security measures have been put in place around the Cape Town City Hall for SONA 2023. Image: Flickr

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reassured MPs that outcomes of the State Capture Commission will be addressed and intends laying out a detailed plan of action when he presents them with the report.

Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday evening, 10 February 2022. Ramaphosa has already received the two thirds of the report and the final installment is due on his desk by the end of February.

So far, the report has shown how some of the country’s state-owned entities were used to benefit the business interests of the Gupta family as well as their allies, which include ministers and executives of those SOEs.

“While the definitive conclusion has yet to be delivered at the end of this month, the first two parts of the report make it plain that there was indeed ‘state capture’. This means that public institutions and state-owned enterprises were infiltrated by a criminal network intent on looting public money for private gain. The reports have detailed the devastating effects of this criminal activity on SAA, Transnet, Denel, South African Revenue Service and Government Communications. State capture had a direct and very concrete negative impact on the lives of all South Africans, but especially the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society”

President Cyril Ramaphosa

RAMAPHOSA ON EFFORTS TO PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWERS

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is due to present the report before Parliament by the end of June, says government will strengthen the system to protect whistleblowers – who put their lives on the line to expose corruption

“We are doing a detailed review of all applicable legislation and a comparative study of other jurisdictions to strengthen whistle-blower protection. The relevant law enforcement agencies are taking the necessary steps to address the immediate concern about the safety of whistle-blowers,” he said.

“Many individuals and companies that the Commission has found were responsible for state capture must now be held to account. I have every confidence that the National Prosecuting Authority will carry out the further investigations that the Commission has recommended, and that it will bring the members of the criminal network that infiltrated government and captured the state swiftly to justice”

President Cyril Ramaphosa