Ramaphosa outlines steps to tackle state capture

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed the nation detailing the steps his government will be taking in implementing a commission's report on state capture.

The six-part report sought to uncover corruption, fraud and the weakening of state institutions under the administration of former president Jacob Zuma.

State capture describes a form of corruption in which businesses and politicians conspire to influence a country's decision-making process to advance their own interests.

In a bold admission, President Ramaphosa accepted the findings by the commission of inquiry led by Judge Raymond Zondo that state capture did happen.

He announced that the commission made over 300 recommendations, some of which the government was responding to ranging from criminal prosecutions of accused persons, legislative changes, as well the establishment of an anti-corruption commission.

President Ramaphosa however was thin on detailing how his government would be implementing the commissions findings. No mention was made of members of his cabinet implicated in the report.

The corruption and fraud uncovered by the state capture report is estimated to have cost the country over $27bn (£24bn).

Mr Ramaphosa said the stolen money robbed South Africans of their future.

This article originally appeared in BBC News

Photo: AFP