hadhwanaag
South Africa will
overhaul its anti-corruption strategy and ensure the independence of
prosecutors, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Sunday, responding to recommendations
from a state inquiry into alleged corruption under his predecessor.
A judicial commission
of inquiry was established to examine allegations of high-level graft during
former President Jacob Zuma's nine years in power from 2009 to 2018.
"The people of
South Africa are tired of corruption and want it to end," Ramaphosa said
in a live television broadcast. "As a country, we are emerging from a dark
and difficult period."
The inquiry found Zuma
had allowed businessmen close to him - brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta -
to plunder state resources and influence policy, commonly known as 'state
capture' in South Africa.
The Guptas deny any
wrongdoing and have left the country but face extradition proceedings in Dubai.
Zuma denies wrongdoing and at one stage refused to cooperate with the inquiry,
leading to his imprisonment in July 2021 for contempt of court.
Inquiry reports said
investigations, which implicated ANC politicians and company executives, found
rampant graft across key economic sectors including state-owned companies such
as power utility Eskom and freight and logistics group Transnet.
Evidence uncovered by
the inquiry can be used by authorities to pursue criminal charges.
Ramaphosa said of plans
to overhaul South Africa's anti-graft strategy: "Through the
implementation of the actions contained in this response, we can start a new
chapter in our struggle against corruption."
In a letter addressed
to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ramaphosa said his response outlined
steps government will take to catch suspects and other reforms.
Ramaphosa, who served
as deputy state president under Zuma, testified at the inquiry that he chose to
"remain but resist" rather than resign when allegations surfaced.
VOA
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