The Presidency has released its latest progress report on the implementation of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s response to the State Capture Commission’s recommendations, highlighting marked improvements in accountability and institutional reforms.
The report, which has also been submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, outlines developments made up to the end of Quarter 4 of the 2024/25 financial year.
Of the 60 actions identified in the President’s October 2022 response plan, 48% have been completed or substantially completed, 23% are on track, and 29% are delayed but receiving attention.
Major achievements in accountability, said the Presidency in a statement on Monday, include the following:
Criminal Justice Progress
The Integrated Task Force, led by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), is currently implementing 218 criminal investigation recommendations related to State capture.
As of March 2025, 21% of these cases had either been finalised or enrolled for trial. Just over half are under active investigation.
High-profile cases scheduled for trial through 2025–2026 include matters linked to the Free State Asbestos Removal Case, SA Express, Bosasa, and Transnet contracts. Four cases have already concluded with guilty verdicts.
Asset Recovery Success
Government has recovered nearly R11 billion in stolen public funds, a notable rise from the R2.9 billion reported in October 2022. This includes R2.9 billion recovered by the Special Investigating Unit and R8 billion by the Asset Forfeiture Unit.
An additional R10.6 billion in assets is currently under restraint or preservation orders. Notable recoveries include settlements from ABB (R2.55 billion), McKinsey (R1.12 billion), and SAP (R1.16 billion).
The Presidency further highlighted institutional reforms to prevent future state capture, including the following.
Law Enforcement Strengthening
The National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act of 2024 established the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) as a permanent entity with enhanced police powers and criminal investigation capabilities. IDAC began operating in August 2024.
Financial Crime Combat Measures
South Africa has implemented comprehensive anti-money laundering reforms through the General Laws Amendment Act of 2022.
These reforms have addressed all deficiencies flagged by the Financial Action Task Force and led to a 40% increase in compliance with anti-money laundering requirements between 2023 and 2024.
Public Procurement Transformation
The Public Procurement Act of 2024 consolidates the country’s fragmented procurement systems into a unified framework aimed at boosting transparency and combatting corruption.
Intelligence Services Reform
The General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act, passed in March 2025, disbanded the State Security Agency and established two separate intelligence entities: the South African Intelligence Service (foreign intelligence) and the South African Intelligence Agency (domestic intelligence). This move restores the pre-2009 intelligence structure and strengthens oversight mechanisms.
Public Administration Professionalisation
Substantial progress has been made in professionalising the public service through the National Framework for Public Sector Professionalisation. Mandatory lifestyle audits for senior officials and supply chain personnel have been implemented in 138 departments by 2024.
Corporate Accountability Measures
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission has completed reviews of 10 private sector entities implicated in state capture, with six investigations still ongoing. The National Treasury has also imposed a 10-year ban, from September 2022 to September 2032, on Bain & Co from doing business with the state.
Professional bodies have taken disciplinary action against individuals implicated in wrongdoing, including the permanent disbarment of a chartered accountant by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, accompanied by a R6.1 million fine.
Legislative Achievements
Several critical pieces of legislation have been enacted to address State capture vulnerabilities:
Electoral Matters Amendment Act (Act 14 of 2024): Criminalises donations to political parties in expectation of contracts or influence
Judicial Matters Amendment Act (Act 15 of 2023): Introduces corporate liability for failure to prevent corruption
Companies Second Amendment Act (Act 17 of 2024): Extends time limits for director delinquency proceedings
General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act (Act 37 of 2024): Reforms intelligence services structure and oversight
The Presidency said the 2025–2026 priorities include the following.
President Ramaphosa has reiterated that while significant progress has been made, the work continues. Priorities for the year ahead include:
• accelerating high-profile prosecutions and bringing new cases to court;
• finalising the Whistleblower Protection Bill for presentation to Parliament;
• finalising the National State Enterprises Bill as part of SOE governance reform;
• completing SARS Act amendments based on Nugent Commission recommendations, and
• finalising anti-corruption architecture proposals under consideration by the Executive.
“The progress outlined in this report demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that those responsible for state capture are held accountable and that the systemic weaknesses that enabled this assault on our democracy are permanently addressed.
“We have recovered nearly R11 billion in stolen public funds, strengthened our law enforcement capacity and implemented comprehensive reforms across government. However, our work is far from complete. We remain committed to the full implementation of the State Capture Commission’s recommendations and to rebuilding public trust in our institutions,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President emphasised that the ultimate test of these reforms is their effectiveness in preventing future occurrences of state capture and restoring faith in state institutions.
The full progress report, including annexures on implementation status, legislation, court cases, and asset recoveries, is available on The Presidency website: https://tinyurl.com/25rx85jr. – SAnews.gov.za
