No accountability in Executive, Parliament - Zondo

Zondo says the judiciary remains the only arm of the state where members are held accountable and can be removed for wrongdoing.

He was speaking at the 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa held in Cape Town.

"It’s difficult to find similar accountability in the Executive or in Parliament. Far too often, individuals facing serious allegations are simply moved around, or given nothing more than a slap on the wrist."

The conference united 21 African nations:  Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ghana, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.

 Zondo also raised serious concerns about Parliament’s role in failing to act on allegations of state capture.

"What weakened our system is that Parliament failed to do what it was supposed to do. For years, it ignored calls to hold public hearings and investigate allegations of state capture.

"In doing so, it did not put the interests of the country first. Other interests took priority. Now that the Commission has completed its work, we must ask: Is our Parliament any more effective in fighting corruption? I’m not convinced that anything has changed," he said.

He also questioned the early release of former president Jacob Zuma from prison.

"It was the judiciary that ensured accountability when irregularities led to the release of a former president from prison. The judiciary declared that release unlawful. Meanwhile, the Executive wanted the public to believe it was merely a coincidence that a plan to release certain prisoners was already in place, and he just happened to qualify. Some of us did not believe that, "said Zondo.

Zondo says at least 70% of corruption occurs in public procurement, and he reiterated that the procurement system needed to be strengthened.

"I’m aware that the commission’s recommendation to abolish sole sourcing as an exception to competitive, transparent, and cost-effective procurement was rejected by the president.

"However, I’m not convinced that those who advised him properly read the relevant section of the commission’s report.

"I’ve called for the establishment of a single anti-corruption agency in South Africa, with an inspectorate unit.

"Part of their role would be to act as inspectors, entering any department and reviewing procurement files to detect irregularities.

" They would also be able to act on whistleblower information and arrive unannounced at government departments to prevent wrongdoing before it happens, "said Zondo.

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