Those responsible for state capture, corruption must face consequences - Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says individuals who were involved in state capture and corruption will have to bear the consequences.
Ramaphosa delivered his closing remarks at the commission of inquiry into state capture on Thursday.
"While there have been certainly been systemic failures, governance lapses, and errors, the fundamental reality is that state capture happened because certain individuals each made a deliberate decision to engage in acts of corruption and criminality,” he said.
"It is just, correct, and necessary that they face the consequences of their actions," said Ramaphosa.
He reflected on the weakening of state institutions, especially law enforcement, and said it was important that those be strengthened so that state capture does not happen again.
Ramaphosa said the last two and a half years of his administration, and the changes he has made, should be a sign of the commitment of his administration to deal with corruption.
"As a person who occupied a position of authority during the state capture era, I take full responsibility for the choices I made and the actions I took. I will not run away from those decisions. I will not run away from those decisions, I will not run away from those decisions," added Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa was scheduled to be the last witness to give oral evidence, however, the commission’s chair, Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, said there might be applications that require oral evidence.
"Certain things happened recently which may require that I make some decisions with regards to certain applications and by law, I must decide them in accordance with what is expected, I will consider them properly. I can't say the president has testified so I can't allow you irrespective of whatever but in our plans the president is the last witness," he said.
The commission has until the end of September to complete its work.
