When the findings of the State Capture Inquiry were released, South Africans hoped the era of politically connected individuals receiving lavish benefits from companies seeking government contracts was behind us. The commission laid bare a pattern of corruption in which private businesses allegedly cultivated relationships with public officials through gifts, luxury travel, accommodation and other perks, often in exchange for access and influence over lucrative state tenders. It was a blueprint that cost the country billions and eroded public trust in government institutions. Now, a new controversy has reignited those concerns. Criminal charges have been laid against former City of Ekurhulenicity manager Dr Imogen Mashazi following allegations that IT company XET Solutions funded a R3.35 million private jet trip to London during her tenure. The trip is reportedly linked to municipal contracts awarded to the company, raising uncomfortable questions about whether South Africa is witnessing a repeat of the very practices exposed by the Zondo Commission. Tonight, we ask
whether enough has been done to reform public procurement, and whether local government remains vulnerable to the same corruption networks that defined the state capture era.