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South Africa has recovered billions of rand and introduced major anti-corruption reforms following the State Capture Commission, but key prosecutions, executive accountability measures and structural reforms are still incomplete.
This explainer breaks down the latest official progress report, published in July 2025, into simple terms: what has been done, what is delayed, and what it means for the public.
What is this report about?
The report tracks government’s response to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission, chaired by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
It measures progress on 60 specific actions promised by government in October 2022 — including criminal prosecutions, asset recovery, law reforms and safeguards to prevent state capture from happening again.
This is the second full progress report, covering implementation up to 31 March 2025.
Overall progress at a glance
Out of the 60 actions government committed to:
- 29 actions (48%) are complete or largely complete
- 14 actions (23%) are on track
- 17 actions (29%) are delayed or need intervention
In short: more than half are moving forward, but nearly one in three are behind schedule.
Criminal cases: Who is being investigated?
A joint task force led by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is handling 218 state capture-related recommendations. These include cases linked to:
- Eskom
- Transnet
- Bosasa
- PRASA
- SAA
- SSA and Crime Intelligence
Status of investigations:
- 51% are under active investigation
- 16% are in court or trial phase
- 16% are stalled due to extraditions or international cooperation
- 8% have not yet started
Only four cases have so far resulted in guilty verdicts — a key concern for accountability.
How much money has been recovered?
Government reports that R10.93 billion has been recovered from state capture-related cases so far.
Breakdown:
- R8.04 billion — Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU)
- R2.89 billion — Special Investigating Unit (SIU)
In addition:
- R10.6 billion in assets are still frozen or under restraint
- R4.8 billion was separately recovered by SARS in unpaid taxes
Major recoveries include settlements involving ABB, McKinsey, SAP and Optimum Coal.
What reforms have already been completed?
Several important structural changes have been finalised:
Permanent anti-corruption unit
- The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) is now a permanent body with police powers.
New corruption offences
- Companies can now be criminally charged for failing to prevent bribery under amended corruption laws.
Procurement reform
- The Public Procurement Act of 2024 replaces fragmented tender laws and introduces:
- A single procurement system
- Public access to procurement data
- Clear rules to blacklist corrupt suppliers
Political funding laws tightened
- Donations made in exchange for tenders or influence are now a criminal offence.
Intelligence services restructured
- The State Security Agency has been split into domestic and foreign intelligence bodies, with tighter oversight.
What is still delayed or unfinished?
Despite progress, several critical areas remain unresolved:
Slow prosecutions
- Most criminal cases are still under investigation, with trials stretching into 2026.
Executive accountability
- Lifestyle audits of Cabinet members are underway, but no outcomes have been made public.
Delayed whistleblower protection
- A promised Whistleblower Protection Bill has not yet been passed, despite years of consultation.
SOE board reforms
- Independent panels for appointing SOE boards and CEOs are still not in place.
Private sector accountability
- Action against companies implicated in state capture has stalled, partly due to ongoing court challenges.
Why this matters to ordinary South Africans
State capture wasn’t just about corruption at the top — it directly affected:
- Electricity supply
- Public transport
- Service delivery
- Jobs and public finances
While billions have been recovered and laws strengthened, justice delayed weakens public trust. The report makes it clear that reform is not finished, and accountability will only be proven when cases are successfully concluded in court.
The bottom line
Government has taken real steps to fix the damage caused by state capture, but:
- Many prosecutions are still pending
- Key reforms are incomplete
- Public confidence depends on visible consequences
The fight against state capture is ongoing, not concluded.
