President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a nine-member National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC) to advise government on the preventative measures, institutional capabilities and resources required to combat fraud and corruption and prevent any recurrence of ‘State capture’.

The appointments were announced on the same day that several high-profile arrests were made in relation to allegations of fraud, corruption and State capture at Transnet, including the arrest of former CEO Brian Molefe and former CFO Anoj Singh.

In a statement, Ramaphosa described the council as the “embodiment of our united resolve as a nation to rid all components of our society of all forms of crime and corruption and develop a whole-of-society response to and prevention of this scourge”.

The NACAC will be chaired by Professor Firoz Cachalia, who is currently a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Law and a former Gauteng Economic Development MEC, as well as Community Safety MEC.

The other members of the council, who will serve a three-year term from September 1, include: Inkosikazi Nomandla Dorothy Mhlauli (Deputy Chair); Kavisha Pillay; David Harris Lewis; Nkosana Dolopi; Barbara Schreiner; Advocate Nokuzula Gloria Khumalo; Sekoetlane Phamodi and Thandeka Gqubule-Mbeki.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the council would advise the President on matters related to fighting corruption, in line with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2020-2030.

The Council would also provide advisory input on matters related to government’s comprehensive response to the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.

“An interdepartmental team led by the Presidency is currently developing government’s response, which President Ramaphosa will present to Parliament by October 22,” Magwenya reports.