Stop State Capture 2.0 and Reject the National State Enterprises Bill

The proposed National State Enterprises Bill (B1—2024) is a dangerous step toward even more unchecked state control over South Africa’s economy. It introduces a State Asset Management SOC Ltd (SAMSOC) to centralise control of key state-owned enterprises (SOEs) like Eskom, Transnet, SAA, and more — effectively placing them under a single government-controlled super-company. This Bill is nationalisation layered on nationalisation, concentrating power in the hands of the state at the expense of accountability and public oversight.

  • Closed: 14 February 2025
Speak up!
More about this bill
In the media

Speak up, be heard, take a stand!

If this Bill is passed, all state enterprises listed in Schedule A — including Eskom, SAA, Denel, and others — will be transferred to a single holding company controlled by the President. This risks entrenching political interference, eroding transparency, and putting essential services and critical infrastructure under greater political control.

South Africa requires less nationalisation, not more.

This is not the solution South Africa needs. We call on the public to oppose the Bill and submit their objections before it becomes law.

Take action now to protect South Africa’s public assets from political control and mismanagement. Use the form below to submit your objection to Parliament. Your voice is powerful — use it to reject the National State Enterprises Bill.

When you submit your comment, it becomes part of the official record and is legally recognised as part of the public participation process. Your voice matters. Take action today!

Together, we can protect our democracy and public resources.

This campaign closed on 14 February 2025

More about this bill

Key Concerns with the Bill:

  1. Centralistion of Power
    • The Bill creates State Asset Management SOC Ltd (SAMSOC), a super-company with control over vital SOEs.
    • The President has direct authority over SAMSOC, with the power to control board appointments and major decisions.
    • This concentration of power invites the same political interference that led to the collapse of Eskom and other SOEs.

  2. Weakens Accountability
    • The Bill allows for SOEs to operate outside the oversight of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which governs how public funds are managed.
    • SOEs will no longer be directly accountable to Parliament, giving the executive unchecked power over billions of rands in public assets.
    • Past scandals of mismanagement at SOEs like Eskom, Transnet, and SAA demonstrate the dangers of weakened oversight.

  3. Threats to Property Rights
    • The Bill allows SAMSOC to transfer land and property between SOEs without public scrutiny or taxes (Chapter 5, Sections 18 & 19).
    • This unchecked power could result in public assets being sold, leased, or otherwise transferred behind closed doors.

  4. Risks of Corruption and State Capture 2.0
    • By giving the President and SAMSOC power to appoint directors and executives, the door is wide open for political appointments.
    • South Africa has seen how political interference contributed to corruption and the looting of SOEs like Eskom and Transnet. This Bill repeats those mistakes.

  5. Exclusion of Public Participation in Decision-Making
    • The Bill proposes that the “National Strategy” for SOEs will be developed by the President and a Presidential Advisory Committee.
    • The role of Parliament and civil society in shaping this strategy is limited, reducing the opportunity for public participation in critical economic decisions.

  6. Higher Costs for Taxpayers
    • SAMSOC’s operational costs will be funded by taxpayers at an estimated R50 million per year, with no guarantee of returns.
    • With Eskom and Transnet already in financial distress, adding a holding company increases costs with no clear economic benefit.

What we’re advocating for

We are calling on all South Africans to submit comments demanding that Parliament REJECT this Bill.

We believe in the need for effective, transparent, and independent management of SOEs. However, this Bill does the opposite:

  1. Reject centralisation: We need independent governance, not a centralised super-company under the President.

  2. Restore accountability: The Bill removes SOEs from the oversight of the PFMA, a vital safeguard for public funds.

  3. Protect public assets: Public property must not be secretly transferred, sold, or controlled by a single entity without public scrutiny.

  4. Insist on public participation: Public ownership of SOEs means the people must have a say in how they are governed.

How you can help

  1. Submit Your Comment
    • Use the Free SA platform to submit your comment to Parliament. Your comment is legally recognised as part of the formal public participation process.
    • Deadline for submissions: 14 February 2025

  2. Share This Campaign
    • Spread the word on social media. Use the hashtags #RejectTheSOEBill #StopSAMSOC to raise awareness.

  3. Stay Informed
    • Follow Free SA for updates on the campaign and the progress of the Bill.

In the media

SABC
Daily Maverick

Fuel the movement. Empower change.

Your contribution ensures that Free SA can continue to fight for your rights. From public awareness campaigns to legal battles, every rand helps us protect democracy and equality. 

Support SA
Subscribe
WhatsApp
Support SA
Facebook-f Linkedin-in Whatsapp

Advocacy

Get Involved

Learn More

Resources

Stay informed. Stay empowered.

Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest campaigns, polls, and updates on our advocacy efforts, sent directly to your inbox.