Former Chief Justice says swearing in tainted ministers was “excruciating”.
Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has delivered a sharp rebuke of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership, accusing him of failing to act decisively against individuals implicated in state capture who continue to be appointed to Cabinet and other senior government positions.
Zondo, who chaired the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, said one of the most painful moments of his career was presiding over the swearing-in of ministers who had been directly linked to serious allegations of corruption.
Speaking at a public debate on governance and accountability in Pretoria, Zondo warned that the reluctance to act against those flagged by the commission sends a dangerous message to South Africans and the international community.
“I swore allegiance to the Constitution when I took the oath,” Zondo said. “It was excruciating for me to stand there and swear in people whom I knew had been recommended for prosecution or disciplinary action by the very commission that I led. It was a painful experience, as if the four years of work we had done meant nothing.”
The State Capture Commission’s final report, released in 2022, made damning findings against several senior African National Congress (ANC) figures and recommended criminal investigations, disciplinary action, and wide-ranging reforms to prevent future abuses of power. However, many of those named have neither been prosecuted nor removed from positions of influence, with some even returning to senior roles in government.
Zondo’s comments have reignited debate over constitutional accountability and the responsibility of the presidency to uphold ethical governance. Civil society organisations, including Corruption Watch and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, have echoed his concerns, calling for a parliamentary inquiry into why key recommendations of the commission remain unimplemented.
Despite campaigning on an anti-corruption and renewal platform, President Ramaphosa has largely avoided addressing the issue publicly. Political analysts argue that internal ANC factional battles and fears of destabilising the party ahead of the 2026 elections may be contributing to his apparent reluctance to act.
“The people who trusted the commission to clean up the system have been betrayed,” Zondo said. “When reports are left to gather dust and those who stole from the public are not held accountable, justice is not served.”
Zondo’s rare public criticism is expected to intensify pressure on the presidency to revisit the findings of the State Capture Commission and take decisive steps to restore public confidence in state institutions.
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