The Zondo Commission and the crisis of accountability in South Africa’s state-owned enterprises. The case of Eskom and state capture.
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Date
2025
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University of the Western Cape
Abstract
The 2016 State of Capture Report published by the former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela catalysed the establishment of the Zondo Commission. The Zondo Commission investigated allegations of state capture involving several South African state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The focus of this study was specifically on the Electricity Supply Commission (Eskom). The importance of this study stems from the reality that Eskom is one of the biggest SOEs in South Africa. Its apparent vulnerability casts a looming shadow over the future of quality, affordable energy supply. Eskom’s monopoly over energy supply in South Africa means its failure or malfunction has wider consequences for the public. The Public Protector's report highlighted incidents of bribery, fraud and corruption and also noted the severe lack of accountability and conflicts of interest involving several public officials in SOEs. These issues compounded the growing concern that anti-corruption measures had eroded and South Africa's SOEs were “captured”. This culminated in what was known as the Zondo Commission, which investigated allegations of state capture by putting several public officials under the microscope of public proceedings. Eskom was one of the SOEs subject to heavy criticism for its wasteful expenditure, questionable relationships, leadership failures and poor service delivery. This research sought to gain a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of the Zondo Commission inquiry of Eskom and the strength of accountability mechanisms.
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Keywords
State of Capture, Report Published, Former Public Protector, Zondo Commission, Investigated Allegations