Welcome to the State Capture and Beyond campaign, a nationwide accountability initiative spearheaded by the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) and the Human Rights Media Trust (HRMT), in partnership with the German aid agency Brot für die Welt (BfdW) and co-funded by the European Union. Our mission is to combat corruption in South Africa’s evolving democracy and to promote informed public participation in holding state power accountable.
Our Mission
Our primary goal is to address the pervasive issue of state capture and foster a culture of accountability in South Africa. We aim to empower citizens, support vulnerable groups, and ensure transparency and integrity in public processes through strategic activities and coalition-building efforts.
Our Context
Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, South Africa has made significant strides in developing robust political, social, and economic institutions. However, the country still faces challenges such as low economic growth, high unemployment, and significant inequality, all exacerbated by corruption and state capture. Corruption in public procurement is particularly detrimental, impeding essential services like healthcare, housing, education, water, and electricity, which disproportionately affects vulnerable groups such as women, children, people living with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
Gender and Vulnerability
Corruption disproportionately impacts women and children, especially in rural areas where access to basic services is limited. Nearly half of rural households are headed by women, contributing to the inefficiency and lack of accountability in government systems. Addressing these disparities is a key focus of our campaign.
Legislative Landscape and Reform
In response to state capture, the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture (CISC), also known as the Zondo Commission, issued over 350 recommendations in 2022. One of the key recommendations is the establishment of an independent Public Procurement Agency (PPACA) to combat financial misconduct and ensure accountability. The anticipated Public Procurement Bill, set for parliamentary review, promises to enhance public procurement governance and improve the lives of South Africans.
Our Approach
The State Capture and Beyond campaign employs a comprehensive approach to tackle state capture and corruption. Our key activities include:
Stakeholder and Launch Events:
Engaging critical partners in discussions and implementing anti-corruption recommendations through events held in six cities. These events serve as a platform to foster collaboration and build a strong coalition against corruption.
Multimedia Outreach:
Utilising social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as educational videos, multilingual podcasts, public forums, and press conferences to engage and inform the public about anti-corruption efforts.
Training Workshops:
Conducting 12 workshops to develop innovative tools and methods for improving transparency and accountability. These workshops aim to equip participants with the skills needed to identify and address corruption effectively.
Research Reports:
Preparing, publishing, and disseminating reports on corruption reporting channels. We will write press releases for each report, share user-friendly information on social media, and develop podcasts based on the research.
Capacity Building for Media Staff:
Training media staff in effective reporting on public procurement and transparency. We will design course material and programmes, use social media to initiate interest and provoke dialogue, and create post-training reels using media staff in training.
Digital Platform Development:
Creating a user-friendly platform with anti-corruption tools and a comprehensive database to monitor the implementation of major recommendations. The website will be launched with emails to all partners and stakeholders and promoted through social media platforms.
Advocacy Workshops:
Conducting workshops on the importance of an independent public procurement anti-corruption agency. We will advertise workshops in advance, document them with videos and pictures, and publish them to create awareness and interest.
Public Events on Anti-Corruption Messaging:
Organising events to discuss anti-corruption messaging in election manifestos and government programmes. We will announce dates and venues, create social media content around the theme of good governance, ensure EU compliance, engage with media, and film events for social media content.
Media Releases on Law-Reform Recommendations:
Monitoring and publishing media releases to support the progress of the Public Procurement Bill. We will schedule, write, and release media statements detailing law reform submissions and publish them on the website.
Documentaries on Anti-Corruption Participation:
Producing short documentaries and a 40-minute documentary that highlight public and civil society participation in anti-corruption efforts. We will research and approve story narrative outlines and develop a release strategy.
Social Media Strategy on CISC Recommendations:
Implementing a social media strategy to keep the public informed about the status of CISC recommendations. We will create and optimise profiles for consistent branding, develop platform-specific strategies, create a content calendar, and engage with followers.
Coalition-Building:
Building a coalition of stakeholders dedicated to fighting corruption is a core component of our campaign. Through our events, workshops, and outreach activities, we bring together civil society organisations, trade unions, the private sector, and engaged citizens to form a united front against corruption.
