Publications
Partners
Should the Guptas be blamed for state capture?
The South African democracy and politics are facing the harshest and severest tests of all times – state capture. The jury is out and the South African citizens are waiting impatiently to pass judgement on the alleged state capture. The alleged mountains of corruption that exist within the current regime, parastatals and other associated departments in the fledgling South African democracy is constantly being tested locally and internationally. The Guptas and state capture has been the most common words on South African citizen’s lips from all walks of life. Damaging and incriminating emails between the Gupta family and their associates (politicians, ministers, government workers, etc.) have recently been leaked to the media alleging state capture, influencing the running of government, influencing ministerial and parastatal appointments, money laundering, tender corruption, etc. and the media is having a field day. Although the information in the emails must be verified through thorough investigation, often rumours or allegations tend to end up being true as they were doing the rounds for some time. Should the findings from the investigations be authentic and valid, this would constitute a criminal offence and those involved should be brought to justice and the might of the long arm of the law must take its course.
The Guptas arrived in South Africa in 1993 from India, shortly before the country's first democratic elections to establish Sahara Computers. The Guptas today have their fingers in almost every strategic sector of this country and owns a number of companies in a range of different industries. Their business empire spans across media (national newspaper and a 24-hour news channel), computer equipment, mining (iron ore, coal & uranium), engineering, investments, passenger airline, armaments, energy (power plants), railways, etc.
Should the Guptas be blamed for state capture?
Wikipedia definition: State capture is a type of systemic political corruption in which private interests significantly influence a state's decision-making processes to their own advantage.
The Guptas are business men and they are exploring new avenues to grow their businesses and their personal interests. They obviously saw the opportunity that exists in a new democracy where newly appointed politicians and government servants are very gullible and easily vulnerable due to the lack of education and experience to run huge governmental departments, parastatals and associated departments. The Guptas immediately locked onto the several weaknesses displayed by ministers and government servants and showered them with attractive and promising gifts and money. The greedy politicians and government workers took the bait voluntarily and without any hesitation, and the Guptas obviously wanted something in return. Nothing is for free (mahala) no matter what the costs, situations, environments or friendships are. There is always a payback time no matter how genuine and honest the promises or pledges might have seemed originally.
The current regime and the government workers opened the front door of South Africa to the Guptas and the President of South Africa rolled out the red carpet. I don’t believe for one second that the Guptas forced themselves in without a cordial and open invitation. Over a period of time, the greedy and corrupt representatives in the current regime, government officials and workers were blindfolded by the excessive and unjustified gifts and allowed the Guptas to start dictating to the current regime how this country should be run from their estate in Saxonwold. The Guptas have a huge influence on the presidency and they are still coining it from government business. The Gupta's alleged influence was the subject of an investigation into "state capture" by the outgoing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela. The Gupta leaks adds powerful ammunition to the alleged state capture report and the functioning of the state. President Jacob Zuma's close relationship with the Gupta family is a source of tension within President Zuma's own party, the ANC.
Let me present a reasonable and simple analysis of the current alleged state capture situation using a simple analogy for clarification: you allow a friend into your home for one week. Every day your friend reorganizes your lounge and at the end of the week, your lounge looks totally different and furthermore it has been moved to the outbuilding. Who do you blame? Definitely not your friend but yourself for giving your friend carte blanche freedom to do as he pleases with no resistance or obstruction from yourself. Similarly the current alleged state capture rests squarely on the current regime.
State capture is not new to South Africa and existed during the apartheid regime. The rise of apartheid, was largely designed and implemented by the Afrikaner Broederbond members who acted in secret and largely anonymously. During the apartheid regime, the Afrikaner Broederbond had a large influence within the South African political and social life. Between 1948 and 1994, many prominent figures of South African political life were members of the Afrikaner Broederbond, including all leaders of the government. Every Prime Minister and State President in South Africa from 1948 to the end of Apartheid in 1994 was a member of the Afrikaner Broederbond. The Afrikaner Broederbond infiltrated and gained control of strategic parastatals, strategic companies and a few paramount organizations to ensure that the state was captured and their interests were always first priority and protected.
Would the state be freed if the Guptas leave South Africa?
No. Should the Guptas leave South Africa, this would not overnight solve all of South Africa’s problems. There is corruption and political power abuse at the highest level in this country – from the number one citizen President Jacob Zuma, ministers in the different governmental portfolios, parastatals, etc. The level and depth of corruption, money laundering, tender corruption, etc. is gnawing at the country’s limited wealth and the patriotic citizens of the country are feeling the greatest effect of the brunt. All citizens, especially those at the lowest income brackets or without any employment should be the primary benefactors of the South African wealth, but the poor and unemployed dreams are far-fetched and they dream on day after day in vain looking for a miracle.
What should be the next progressive step forward?
South African citizens are highly frustrated and immensely tired of listening to lies and denials. The South African constitution is the supreme law of the state and it must be revered and adhered to strictly. South Africa has potent laws and regulations and they must followed wisely and properly to determine the extent of state capture and those that are involved in this systemic political corruption.
Several investigations are currently taking place and the perpetrators must be brought to book and must face the full might of the law. There must be no room for leniency and the current sentences in line with the different and relevant Acts must be enforced without fear or favour. A strong and solid message must be sent to South Africans and foreigners that South Africa belongs to the citizens of this beautiful country and this country is not up for sale and will not be sold to the highest bidder.
There must be proper and strict disciplinary action taken against any offenders and those who pursue major and organized cover-ups. Those individuals must be blacklisted and should not be allowed to take any future positions in government, municipalities, government parastatals or any company that offers a service / product to the government.
Any foreigners that are found to be corrupt and who introduces elements of criminality into our country must be deported from this country and banned from returning to this country. They should not be allowed to deal with any South African companies and any guilty company should face huge penalties.
I end this article with the last verse of our South African National anthem which appropriately sums up our patriotism to our South Africa:
“Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom
In South Africa our land!”
(Selected statistics and events are courtesy of the internet)
