Presidency Reports Major Progress on State Capture Commission Recommendations

Monday, 28 July 2025 — The Presidency has released an updated progress report on the implementation of recommendations from the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Fraud and Corruption, indicating significant advances in accountability and institutional reform.

The report, which has been submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, outlines developments up to the end of the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.

Of the 60 priority actions identified in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s October 2022 response plan, 48% have been completed or substantially completed, 23% are on track, and 29% are delayed but receiving attention.

Key Developments in Accountability

Criminal Investigations

The Integrated Task Force, led by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), is pursuing 218 state capture-related investigations. As of March 2025, 21% of cases were either finalised or enrolled for trial, while over half remain under active investigation. Several high-profile trials are expected through 2025 and 2026, including cases linked to the Free State Asbestos project, SA Express, Bosasa, and Transnet.

To date, four state capture cases have concluded with guilty verdicts.

Asset Recovery

Government efforts have yielded R11 billion in recovered public funds, a significant increase from the R2.9 billion reported in 2022. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) contributed R2.9 billion, while the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) secured R8 billion.

Assets worth R10.6 billion remain under restraint or preservation orders. Major recoveries include settlements from ABB (R2.55 billion), McKinsey (R1.12 billion), and SAP (R1.16 billion).

Institutional and Legislative Reforms

Law Enforcement

The NPA Amendment Act of 2024 formally established the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) as a permanent body with enhanced investigative powers. IDAC commenced operations in August 2024.

Anti-Money Laundering

The General Laws Amendment Act of 2022 addressed critical deficiencies in South Africa’s anti-money laundering framework. These measures led to a 40% increase in compliance between 2023 and 2024.

Procurement Reform

The Public Procurement Act of 2024 consolidated South Africa’s procurement regulations into a single framework aimed at increasing transparency and curbing corruption.

Intelligence Services

The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act, enacted in March 2025, disbanded the State Security Agency and established two separate intelligence bodies: the South African Intelligence Service (foreign) and the South African Intelligence Agency (domestic), reverting to a pre-2009 structure with improved oversight.

Public Service Professionalisation

Implementation of the National Framework for Public Sector Professionalisation has included mandatory lifestyle audits for senior officials. By 2024, 138 departments had introduced these audits, targeting corruption risks in supply chain management.

Private Sector and Professional Accountability

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission completed reviews of 10 companies implicated in state capture, with six additional investigations ongoing.

The National Treasury has maintained a 10-year ban on Bain & Company from conducting business with the state, in effect from September 2022 to September 2032.

Professional associations have imposed sanctions on individuals implicated in wrongdoing, including the disbarment of a chartered accountant and a R6.1 million fine issued by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Legislative Actions

Parliament has enacted several laws to address governance gaps identified during the Commission’s hearings:

• Electoral Matters Amendment Act (2024): Prohibits donations to political parties in exchange for influence or contracts

• Judicial Matters Amendment Act (2023): Introduces corporate liability for failure to prevent corruption

• Companies Second Amendment Act (2024): Extends deadlines for director delinquency proceedings

• General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act (2024): Restructures intelligence services and oversight

Focus Areas for 2025–2026

President Ramaphosa outlined several priorities for the coming year:

• Accelerating high-profile prosecutions

• Finalising the Whistleblower Protection Bill

• Advancing the National State Enterprises Bill to reform SOE governance

• Amending the SARS Act, as recommended by the Nugent Commission

• Completing proposals for a new anti-corruption architecture

“The progress outlined in this report demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that those responsible for state capture are held accountable,” said President Ramaphosa. “We have recovered nearly R11 billion in stolen public funds, strengthened our law enforcement capacity and implemented comprehensive reforms across government.”

The full progress report, including annexures on legislative reforms, court cases, and asset recoveries, is available at: https://tinyurl.com/25rx85jr