The Problem of Political Corruption in South Africa

It is no secret that President Jacob Zuma, the Gupta brothers, his son Duduzani Zuma, Malusi Gigaba, Brian Molefe just to mention a few have been involved in corruption for very long time. And neither did it surprised the public when it was said that they were in the state capture and their businesses dealings were researched as officials were and law officials were skeptical about their every move.

These individuals’ corruption and dealings were witnessed by the whole of South Africa, that wasn’t as bad enough, nothing was done about their illegal dealings. Luxurious vacations, expensive trips around the world, such activities were made public and not a secret to South African, and the money from South African tax payers, which is deducted from their income to build schools, fix roads, repair and finance the country’s infrastructure was used for the President’s and his family and friends’ personal purposes. Such allegations and activities regarding what the President does with the tax payer’s money was even published and he seemed not to care as he continued to do what he liked as the President of the State. Even when this was made public and he was aware that the public knows about his doings with the money that he should be dividing and distributing towards the needs of the country, he continued with his corruption.

This was not only shocking but also disappointing, as a President the public expects you to lead by example and everyone is looking up to you regarding building a better Country and a better future. After all this, these people who are mentioned in the State Capture and accused of corruption are still out there free and not made an example of by the state or law, they are not paying for their actions but are set free. Even though some of the accused deny any corruption related to them, some from the cabinet and those who were once close to the President have come forward and have confessed that they were offered much higher positions by the President including the Gupta brothers but declined their offers hence they are now fired from the cabinet. The son of President, Duduzane Zuma is still in hiding and it was said that law officials were looking for him. The Gupta brothers are also in hiding as they are running away from the law officials. To defend himself, the President stated that the state capture should be a political used against other individuals, the public did not receive this statement well as he is the one responsible for the corruption in South Africa, making it difficult for the country to move forward. The President continued to defend himself in interviews, like the ANN7 where he recommended Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to put her focus more on other individuals rather than putting her focus on him. To defend himself he continued to say that there are people around him who wanted him dead, and that the Public Protector should be busy trying to research such people as he will not go into details regarding the people that want him dead.

He continued to attack the State Capture report that was released by the Public Reporter of not completing an investigation into allegations of State Capture. With such corruption and illegal dealings costing the country to lose millions and the economy of South Africa facing a decline in its economy, nothing has been done yet to these in individuals as they are still out there free, the public continued to question the future of South Africa, in fact others blamed the President for the crime and also corruption that is taking place at other work places as h should be leading by example. The South African Authorities have also made efforts to interview and question the President regarding the State Capture Report that was released by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, and he continued defending himself and attacking the Public Protector. He also challenged the validity of the remedial action that the Public Protector prescribed in her State Capture Report. He accused the Public Protector to be making and publishing false information about him in the State Capture Report. He also demanded that there shall be and investigation regarding the details about him in the State Capture Report, even though some people seemed convinced, it seemed like the majority of the citizens of South Africa are still supporting the President despite his corruption and his illegal dealings. Till today, these individuals mentioned in the State Capture are still free and nothing is done, no law that has been set by the State applied to them or dealt with them, if they are not dealt with according the law, how can the public expect the State to deal with other individuals.