ENTRENCHED CULTURE OP-ED: Corruption by any other name — organised crime has replaced State Capture

The Madlanga Commission has reframed the discourse on grand corruption in South Africa, shifting the focus from political State Capture to organised crime. This change in framing has significant implications for addressing the issue effectively.

According to the Madlanga Commission, corruption is not just a political project, but an inherent criminality that extends beyond state actors to include organised crime figures. The commission has highlighted how senior politicians, bureaucrats, law enforcement, security, and intelligence officials have colluded with criminal elements for corrupt gains.

The Madlanga Commission has specifically focused on corruption within law enforcement structures, exposing senior officials who have ties to known criminal figures involved in drug trafficking and tobacco smuggling. These officials allegedly orchestrated illegal activities such as cocaine heists, kidnappings, torture, and extortion.

In contrast, the Zondo Commission framed the corruption of former President Jacob Zuma and the Gupta brothers as part of a political project of State Capture. While this framing was effective in uniting civil society, it also downplayed the criminal nature of the activities. The Madlanga Commission, on the other hand, presents a clearer and more grim picture of corruption as criminal behaviour.

The Madlanga Commission's framing of corruption as organised crime rather than political State Capture has the potential to bring about institutional reform and a reset in the fight against corruption. By acknowledging the criminality of corrupt practices, there is a greater chance of sweeping institutional change and holding perpetrators accountable.