State capture and the political manipulation of criminal justice agencies

This submission to the Zondo state capture inquiry examines manipulation and interference in SA’s criminal justice agencies.

This is a joint submission by Corruption Watch and the Institute for Security Studies to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture. The submission addresses the manipulation of criminal justice agencies under the administration of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma. This manipulation was a critical factor in entrenching and facilitating state capture. The submission provides a detailed examination of evidence about the nature of manipulation and interference in the South African Police Service and its intelligence division, the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. A major focus is on manipulation by the Executive of the appointment of the senior leaders of these agencies. Recommendations are made for legislative and other measures intended to reduce the risk of this type of manipulation in the future.

Picture: Amelia Broodryk/ISS