CAPE TOWN: Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said if there was another attempt at state capture, Parliament would fail to prevent it.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Amos Masondo, will meet enraged Chief Justice Raymond Zondo about his remark that if state capture were to re-occur, Parliament wouldn’t be able to stop it.
Mr Zondo has lambasted the country’s lawmakers after his exorbitant report on maladministration, corruption and misuse of funds has started to gather dust with no action against those alleged to be involved. This move angered the judge, who delivered a mouthful speech and lamented other arms of the state.
Addressing a Human Science Research Council symposium that analysed the state capture report’s impact on democracy last week Thursday – a year to the day that the final instalment of the state capture report was released – Mr Zondo defended his inquiry’s wide-ranging recommendations, which included the establishment of a commission to monitor state capture if Parliament failed in its legal duties.
“If another group of people were to do exactly what the Guptas did to pursue state capture, Parliament would still not be able to stop it. That is simply because I have seen nothing that has changed. If Parliament won’t be able to protect the people’s interests, who will protect the people?” Mr Zondo said.
In his report, Mr Zondo recommended safeguards to protect the country against state capture and lack of action by Parliament. He said electoral reform to allow for a constituency-based system would give voters more power.
“If public representatives, elected directly by constituencies, acted against the mandate given, they would be held accountable by those voters,” Mr Zondo said.
His concerns have since been dismissed by ANC MP and chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Tyotyo James, who said, “Zondo’s criticism of cadre deployment as unlawful and unconstitutional as follows: “Unfortunately, Judge Zondo is not governing on our behalf.”
Mr Zondo and the presiding officers will have much to talk about when they meet on today.