Delivering the keynote address at the International Anti-Corruption Conference hosted by the FishFORCE Academy at Nelson Mandela University recently, Zondo reflected on the systemic weaknesses that allowed state capture to take root — and suggested that the changed parliamentary landscape following the 2024 national elections offers a more robust check against the abuse of executive power.
The conference offered a platform for robust discussions on key issues, such as the widespread impact of corruption on governance and economic stability; the effectiveness of South Africa’s criminal justice system in combating corruption; global anti-corruption models and lessons from international best practices, and institutional reforms needed to safeguard democracy and accountability.
“In the past, the governing party held a majority in Parliament, and members were expected to toe the party line, even when it meant shielding corruption and state capture. That enabled the Gupta-Zuma state capture project to grow in intensity,” Justice Zondo told a packed auditorium of academics, legal experts, government officials and anti-corruption advocates.
He was referring to his findings from the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture — widely known as the Zondo Commission — which he chaired for over four years.
Justice Raymond Zondo and Dr Lynn Biggs, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law
In his address, Zondo marked the upcoming third anniversaries of the submission of the Commission’s interim and final reports to President Cyril Ramaphosa in April and June 2022 respectively.
“It is time to reflect on our struggle for a corruption-free South Africa,” he said. “Some measures were implemented following the Commission’s recommendations, but critical gaps remain — particularly when it comes to parliamentary accountability.”
Zondo highlighted the central role that Parliament played — or failed to play — in the state capture saga, noting that ANC MPs were directed by party leadership to vote against motions aimed at probing corruption allegations or removing then-President Zuma through votes of no confidence.
“We sought to establish whether, with the benefit of hindsight, the governing party could commit that in future, MPs would vote in the best interests of the people — not in blind allegiance to party instructions. Unfortunately, no such undertaking was given,” he noted, pointing to testimony from President Ramaphosa and ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe during the Commission.
However, Zondo emphasised that the political dynamics have shifted substantially since the 2024 elections, where no party emerged with an outright majority. He argued that this fragmented landscape inherently weakens the ability of any one party to shield corrupt leaders from accountability.
“The ANC would not be able, on its own, to provide any president in the future protection against motions of no confidence in the President in the way in which they were able to do during the years of state capture,” he asserted.
“This time, if the party from which the president comes does not get the assistance of another party, state capture that is similar to the state capture that we had before would be stopped in its tracks.”
Zondo described this political equilibrium as a potentially positive development in South Africa’s fight against corruption, noting that a coalition-based government forces broader consultation, negotiation, and a more pluralistic approach to governance.
Despite this progress, Zondo remained critical of Parliament’s overall record and questioned whether Members of Parliament have truly internalised the lessons of the past.
He cited recent events, including the parliamentary handling of the Section 89 panel report — chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo — as examples of continued partisan decision-making. “If one looks at how the majority voted… it looks like there has been no change in attitude,” he cautioned.
This ongoing challenge, he said, underscores the need for structural reforms in how Parliament functions, including reviewing the practice of party instructions that undermine MPs’ constitutional responsibilities.
Zondo returned to the Constitution's opening phrase — “We, the People” — as a moral compass for both elected leaders and the broader public. “In whatever we do, we should put the interests of the people first,” he stressed. “That must be the test.”
Zondo also reiterated one of the Commission’s key recommendations: strengthening whistleblower protection. He described whistleblowers as a “critical pillar” in the fight against corruption and urged that incentives be introduced to support and protect those who risk their careers — and lives — to expose wrongdoing.
FishFORCE International Anti-Corruption Conference
The conference, themed around sustainable anti-corruption solutions, also featured panels on legislative reform, technology in law enforcement, and regional cooperation on crime prevention, particularly in maritime and fisheries sectors — core to FishFORCE’s mission.
As South Africa continues to grapple with the legacy of state capture and ongoing governance challenges, Zondo’s message was clear: political change alone is not enough. Sustained accountability, courageous leadership, and empowered citizens remain the cornerstones of a corruption-free future.
“The journey we are traveling in our fight against corruption requires reflection, commitment, and vigilance,” Zondo concluded. “Only then can we ensure that history does not repeat itself.”