Recoup, jail, blacklist - Lamola’s state capture recovery plan
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola is adamant business owners, politicians and government officials accused of state capture won’t easily be let off the hook.
Lamola joined a panel at the University of Pretoria to unpack the reports by the commission of inquiry into state capture.
Renowned anti-apartheid activist Peter Hain and UP’s development economist Carolyn Chisadza were also a part of the conversation on Tuesday evening.
The panel discussion follows the release of the fourth instalment of the commission's report.
In all four reports, various high-profile individuals were implicated in the collapse of state institutions, including former president Jacob Zuma, Eskom executives Matshela Koko, Brian Molefe and Anoj Singh.
Former ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe and former Government Communications Information System acting CEO Mzwanele Manyi were labelled as enablers of state capture.
While some have rubbished the findings, Lamola vowed action by government.
“There must be consequences for those that are found to have benefited in the scheme and I think the Zondo report is a turning point in that regard.
“I do think that when we see consequences, people going to jail, people paying back the money, and other relevant consequences such as blacklisting the companies, the message will be clear to society and that will help to bring accountability and to enhance trust of the public to the State,” Lamola added.
But Lamola was clear the task of fighting corruption shouldn’t only fall on government’s shoulders.
“It should be a collaborative fort between the government and civil society - it should not just be left to government to deal with the issue of corruption.
“Government must be held to account, government must obviously play its role in terms of the procurement processes particularly the preventative measures. The public and the private sector has got a bigger role because they paid a bribe, they are the ones that financed some of the grand scheme corruption,” Lamola added.
Despite assurances, there are some concerns law enforcement and prosecution agencies are ill-equipped to deal with the large scale of investigations.
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