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Letter to the Zondo Commission: Commission responds

The Zondo Commission responded on 15 June to the CSWG’s open letter. Read both letters here.

 

On the Civil Society Working Group’s letter to the Zondo Commission, calling for more transparent processes:

  • We commend the Commission on the work that it has completed to date.
  • Since the lockdown the Commission has shared barely any information with the public on the steps it has taken to continue with its work and activities.
  • The Working Group is concerned that the pandemic and lockdown may increase opportunities for powerful networks to abuse the state’s resources.
  • The Commission’s work is of particular importance now when emergency procurement processes may present potential avenues for corruption, patronage and ongoing state capture.
  • While paying heed to measures to flatten the infection curve we suggest that the Zondo Commission:
    • releases an interim report with findings and recommendations – this will also enable other sectors to work with its findings.
    • urgently reconvenes its hearings, as permitted by the Regulations made in terms of the Disaster Management Act, with the necessary health and safety precautions
    • measures are taken to include the use of virtual platforms for hearings or social distancing protocol is employed whilst in person hearings continue
    • virtual platforms are used in ways that allow members of the public to easily access hearings and proceedings
    • information on the business of the Commission is regularly published on the Commission’s website in order to keep the public updated and instil public confidence
  •  Whilst we understand the position within which the Commission finds itself during this pandemic, we urge the Commission to take the public into its confidence and make use of this time to meet its mandate, which is scheduled to come to an end in March 2021.