Monday 20 August 2018, marked the beginning of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, an important process in the efforts to hopefully fully unmask the extent and depth to which state power and funds were abused as a result of the alleged corrupt relationship between former President Jacob Zuma and the Guptas.

In April 2016, the South African Council of Churches (SACC) created the Unburdening Panel as a safe space and a “facility” offered by the churches to any person in the Republic of South Africa who may wish to relieve herself or himself of the burden caused by an experience of someone suggesting that you do something inappropriate in return for a promotion, an attractive position or money or shares in a company, or any other favour or incentive whatsoever. This was essentially a pastoral process for the people, and not an investigation.

This process resulted in the Unburdening Report (see: http://sacc.org.za/news/sacc-report-c…) which was released to the public by the SACC in May 2017.

In this video message by SACC General Secretary, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, the SACC extends its support for the #StateCapture commission of inquiry and further appeals to and urges society at large to join us in supporting its work and to please come forward with any information that may be helpful to the process.

It is our duty as citizens to play our part in anchoring democracy, in order to restore the integrity of OUR governmental systems.