Threats, intimidation, bribery ... the forces lined up against the parliamentary inquiry into the capture of state-owned enterprises have been doing their utmost to frustrate the process. But, bit by bit, the inquiry is uncovering the web of intrigue involved in the capture of Eskom and reasserting the allegations made by former public protector Thuli Madonsela in her "State of Capture" report, released late last year. In a context in which law enforcement agencies are paralysed and have done little to probe alleged wrongdoing, any attempt to grapple with these allegations has to be lauded. Inaction by parliament would have laid the institution open to accusations that it had closed its eyes to major looting of state resources and failed to hold the executive to account. It was previously found wanting in its handling of the use of state funds to upgrade President Jacob Zuma’s private residence in Nkandla.The inquiry by parliament’s portfolio committee on public enterprises — limite...

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