​Rofhiwa Marubini 
While government has taken decisive steps to end the era of state capture, the fight against corruption is far from over.
"Even as the country was suffering the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies and individuals were conspiring with public officials to defraud the government of billions of rand in COVID-related contracts.
"As soon as evidence emerged of this corruption we acted. We withdrew certain emergency procurement regulations, set up a fusion centre that brought together various law enforcement agencies," said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In December, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) SIU submitted its final report on its investigation into COVID-related contracts.
As a result, 45 matters, with a combined value of R2.1 billion, have been enrolled with the Special Tribunal.
The SIU has referred 224 government officials for disciplinary action and referred 386 cases for possible prosecution to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Ramaphosa said his office has set up mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the SIU. These mechanisms will ensure that government departments and entities act against those who have violated regulations and broken the law.
"The fight against corruption will take on a new intensity thanks to the outcomes of the State Capture Commission, the strengthening of law enforcement agencies and the implementation of new anti-corruption practices in the public service."
While state capture has weakened the ability of the state to deliver services and to meet the expectations and constitutional rights, South Africans must now do everything in their power to ensure that it never happens again.
"My responsibility is to ensure that the commission report is properly and carefully considered and then acted upon."
In January, Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo handed over the three-volume report almost four years since the establishment of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
The reports have detailed the devastating effects of this criminal activity in SAA, Transnet, Denel, South African Revenue Service and Government Communications. 
Public institutions and state-owned enterprises were infiltrated by a criminal network intent on looting public money for private gain.
Ramaphosa has given himself the deadline of June 30 to present a plan of action in response to the Zondo Commission's recommendations.
As the commission's first report recommends, government will strengthen the system to protect whistle-blowers, who are a vital safeguard in the fight against corruption and who take huge personal risk in reporting wrongdoing.
 
"We are doing a detailed review of all applicable legislation and a comparative study of other jurisdictions to strengthen whistle-blower protection.
"The relevant law enforcement agencies are taking the necessary steps to address the immediate concern about the safety of whistle-blowers."
Ramaphosa said the Investigating Directorate in the NPA is now poised to deliver on its crucial mandate, and a dedicated team has been established to pursue these cases.
"We will be appointing a new head of the Investigating Directorate following the departure of Adv Hermione Cronje from that position."
To ensure that the prosecuting authority remains true to its constitutional obligation and to ensure transparency, a framework for private sector cooperation that will be managed through National Treasury is been developed.
There are also discussions underway with the Judiciary for the creation of special court rolls for state capture and corruption cases.