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The EFF welcomes the terms of reference as published by the in the government gazette for the Zondo Commission of Enquiry into State Capture. These terms of reference comply with the remedial action of the Public Protector’s report on the Zuma-Gupta corruption.

The EFF will be making an application for legal representation in the commission. We believe that the work of the commission can now begin and allow the country to finally close the chapter of Zuma-Gupta corruption.

With the State of Capture, our country faces a definitive post-colonial test in breaking with liberation movement curse of corruption. Many post-colonial governments are unable to break with the parasitic culture of post-liberation government corruption because they do not subject liberation veterans to investigations, prosecution and imprisonment. This then leads to an endless cycle of state failure and the complete destruction of the rule of law.

Our ability to subject Zuma and the Guptas, together with all who are involved in the destruction of state entities, will determine whether as a people we will be different to many post-colonial countries that are crippled by corruption. We must demonstrate with Zuma, who is a corrupt veteran, that we are able to punish corruption. If we do not, the state will collapse, and it will take us no less than half a century at least, to recover.

The state must be saved from failure because it is central to the economic emancipation project. It is only through a corrupt free government that massive industrial development with quality sustainable jobs can be created. Without a strong, efficient and corrupt free state, we will not be able to break out of apartheid and colonial patterns of ownership and development that are steeped in the super-exploitation of the black majority. The state must be saved from bending to the service of individual corrupt politicians, their families and friends.

We would like to remind South Africans that if it was not for the crucial intervention of the EFF, subsequently joined by other parties, the State of Capture Report compiled by Advocate Thuli Madonsela, would never have seen the light of day. Secondly, we successfully opposed Zuma's attempt to review the report. Thirdly we also succeeded in persuading the court that Zuma should pay the costs of these reckless applications from his own pocket, saving millions of taxpayers money. Without those landmark victories, there would be no State Capture Inquiry today.

We wish Deputy Chief Justice Zondo well and call on his courage and absolute commitment to justice in this important hour in our democracy. Once and for all, let there be proof that no one is above the law.

Issued by EFF