President Announces Measures to Crack Down on Corruption and Illicit Trade to Safeguard Economic Growth

President Cyril Ramaphosa told the joint sitting of Parliament that the government is addressing the threat posed by the infiltration of illegal and counterfeit goods to South African jobs and industry.

To this end, the government is establishing a National Illicit Economy Distribution Programme, bringing together key state agencies and other stakeholders, including the private sector. Through the effective use of data analytics and artificial intelligence, he said, the government will target high-risk sectors such as tobacco, fuel, alcohol and other counterfeit products.

The President referred to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, saying that it has exposed rampant corruption in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and some metro police departments through abuse of power. "We cannot tolerate this. The rule of law depends on a police service that is ethical, responsive and rooted in the communities that it serves."

The President went on to say that the SAPS has established a task team to ensure that investigations arising from the Madlanga Commission are undertaken swiftly and without interference. In addition, the State Security Agency will re-vet the senior management of the SAPS and metro police departments. The vetting process will include lifestyle audits.

President Ramaphosa also assured the joint sitting that it will use the recommendations of the Madlanga Commission to make far-reaching changes. "We are determined that the Commission's findings and recommendations will lay the basis for a fundamental reform of our criminal justice system. We are confident that these efforts will succeed because the great majority of police officers are dedicated to upholding the law and diligently serving the people of South Africa."

Drawing on the success of Operation Vulindlela in advancing economic reform, he said the government will use a similar approach to establish a hard-hitting new criminal justice reform initiative. This will crack down on organised crime, corruption and the illicit firearms trade using a dedicated team in the Presidency to ensure that reforms are implemented across the system.

"We are further intensifying the fight against corruption by strengthening bodies such as the Special Investigating Unit, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/Hawks).

"We will finalise government's approach to the recommendation of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council on the establishment of a permanent, independent, overarching anti-corruption body."

President Ramaphosa also informed the joint sitting that the Whistle-Blower Protection Bill will be introduced in Parliament because, "We cannot accept that those who speak out against corruption are victimised and targeted." Among other things, this will criminalise retaliation and provide psychosocial, legal and financial support to whistle-blowers.