We’ve heard the term ‘state capture’ thrown around a fair bit these past few weeks, its frequent use even spawning a spin off hashtag – #StateCaptureMovieTitles.

You really should look at the pick of the bunch HERE, sometimes you just have to laugh.

South Africa’s main banking industry body isn’t laughing though, taking aim at government corruption in a stinging attack yesterday. Here’s a few choice words from Business Day:

“We must be clear that ‘state and corporate capture’ is a euphemism for blatant corruption,” Banking Association MD Cas Coovadia said on Wednesday. “We remain deeply concerned and disturbed that the worrisome trend of undue and illegitimate influence and interference in the state continues to represent a clear and present danger and threat to the stability of our constitutional democracy.”

At the centre of the mess is the musical chairs appointments of our country’s Finance Ministers, the government going full circle when eventually landing back on Pravin Gordhan. Not that he has had it all his own way of course:

Mr Gordhan has been involved in a dispute with the head of the South African Revenue Service, Tom Moyane, who he said defied an order to halt a management overhaul. The Hawks have asked Mr Gordhan to respond to questions about a unit in the tax agency set up to investigate high-profile tax dodgers during his time at its helm.

Ain’t nobody got time for the Hawks coming after you – you’ll want to stay on top of your tax game to avoid such troubles.

I suppose we should welcome the ANC’s decision to investigate claims of undue influence by the Gupta family, although that’s akin to asking the guy whose face is covered in icing where all the cupcakes went.

More voices of dissent are always welcome big banks, maybe we can slowly squeeze out the rotten apples at the top with a concerted team effort.

[source:businessday]