Public Interest SA condemns the commercialisation of political influence

Johannesburg, South Africa. | Wednesday, 1 July 2026  — Public Interest SA is deeply disturbed by the allegations surrounding Resolve Communications and its executive chairman, Tony Leon. While the truth of these allegations must ultimately be established through evidence and due process, the ethical questions they raise cannot simply be dismissed with denials of criminal wrongdoing.

Leon's defence misses the point.

The issue is not whether lobbying is lawful. The issue is whether a former leader of a governing coalition partner should monetise the influence, relationships and access acquired through public service on behalf of paying private clients.

That is an ethical question, not merely a legal one.

For decades, Leon built his reputation opposing corruption and defending constitutional governance. Today, he appears to defend a business model that many South Africans would reasonably perceive as the commercialisation of political influence.

The value proposition of a lobbying firm led by a former leader and former chief executive of the Democratic Alliance is self-evident. Clients do not retain such individuals merely for communications advice. They do so because political relationships, credibility and access have commercial value.

That may be lawful. It does not necessarily make it ethical.

It is therefore significant that concerns about Resolve Communications' conduct have reportedly been raised not only by political opponents, but by erstwhile Democratic Alliance leader and deputy trade minister John Steenhuisen, who is reported to have regarded the firm's activities as presenting a "major ethical risk". Such concerns cannot simply be dismissed as partisan attacks.

Public Interest SA's own experience underscores why this debate matters.

As an independent, non-partisan civil society organisation representing the interests of all South Africans, Public Interest SA has made numerous submissions to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies on matters of public policy, including equity equivalent programmes.

Despite repeated engagements, the organisation has received neither substantive responses nor, in some instances, even acknowledgements of receipt.

Yet reports suggest that Leon has enjoyed ready access to the same department to advocate on behalf of Starlink, one of the world's largest multinational corporations, who's owner persistently spreads disinformation about a non-existent genocide in South Africa while simultaneously seeking entry into country's strategically important telecommunications sector.

Whether every engagement complied with the law is almost beside the point.

If a public interest organisation cannot secure meaningful engagement on matters affecting millions of South Africans, while a politically connected former party leader reportedly enjoys direct access to ministers on behalf of paying corporate clients, citizens are entitled to question whether access to government has become a commodity reserved for those with the right political connections.

This strikes at the heart of Section 195 of the Constitution, which requires public administration to be accountable, transparent, impartial and responsive. Ministers serve the Republic — not political parties, former party leaders or their commercial clients.

Public Interest SA is particularly concerned by reports of Leon's advocacy on behalf of Starlink. While foreign investment is welcome, strategic telecommunications infrastructure raises issues extending beyond commercial interests, including digital sovereignty, economic resilience and national security.

Decisions affecting such sectors must be beyond reproach and must be informed by transparent, inclusive and accountable processes.

South Africans know that state capture did not begin with envelopes of cash. It began with privileged access, unequal influence and the gradual blurring of the line between public office and private commercial interests.

The country urgently requires a statutory framework regulating lobbying, including a mandatory register of lobbyists, public disclosure of meetings with ministers and senior officials, transparency regarding clients seeking to influence public policy or procurement, and stronger post-public office conflict-of-interest rules.

These reforms are not about one individual. They are about ensuring that political influence acquired in public service never becomes a private commercial asset.

South Africa deserves a democracy in which government is equally accessible to citizens, civil society and business — not one where access is perceived to depend on political pedigree.

END