Dennis Minott | Recognising state capture and rejecting racist justifications for wrongdoing

In recent days, I’ve received a series of reactions to my article on the Gupta brothers’ state capture in South Africa, some of which highlight a troubling trend that I believe we need to address head-on. The lessons from South Africa’s descent into corruption, in which the Gupta family played a pivotal role, offer invaluable insights for our own political and economic landscape. Yet certain responses, such as those from The Gleaner’s Disqus microblog commenter ‘VXtruth,’ reveal a deeper, more insidious agenda: a troubling attempt to mask corruption by racialising it, particularly through the lens of black governance.

For those who missed the original piece, I raised concerns about the Gupta brothers’ manipulation of South Africa’s political system to enrich themselves and consolidate power, effectively capturing the State. This practice — state capture — is not confined to one nation or one ethnic group. It is a universal danger that has the power to destabilise economies, undermine governance, and deprive citizens of the resources and opportunities they rightfully deserve. Instead of condemning the Guptas’ actions, ‘VXtruth’ deflects the blame onto the broader structure of state control and racialises the issue, making a troubling generalisation about black governance and the relationship between the State and the private sector.

In his response, ‘VXtruth’ states: “Biggest lesson, is watching black people take over from white people, the biggest economy in Africa in the ‘90s and turning it into one big failed state. RIP SA Now a nation that promotes hate for Israel ... As a mixed black man, I am very embarrassed for Africa.” These words are troubling for several reasons, but most significantly because they reduce a complex political and economic issue into a simplistic and divisive racial argument. Instead of acknowledging that state capture is a form of corruption that transcends racial lines, he chooses to blame black governance, implying that the mere shift of power from one racial group to another inevitably leads to failure. This is both an insult to black leadership and a distortion of the true cause of South Africa’s struggles.

GROUNDED CRITIQUE

In contrast, another commenter, Clinton Miller, offered a much more grounded critique, stating, “The article is a case study in the enabling of corruption by a nexus between private sector interests and government officials.” This perspective cuts to the heart of the matter — state capture is not about race. It is about the corruption of power for personal gain, and it is the people who suffer the most. When private-sector interests – whether they be black, Caucasian, oriental, mixed blacks or browns – along with government officials work together to undermine the public good, it is the nation as a whole that bears the burden. Look at tourism this week, look at energy last month, look at the state of road construction here last year. Look at bond repayments to people in Jamaica’s hill country year in, year out.

As Jamaicans and citizens of the Caribbean, we must be wary of arguments that attempt to deflect attention from the real issues of corruption and exploitation. By racialising state capture or focusing on the structure of governance rather than the actions of corrupt individuals, we risk diverting our attention from the real problems at hand. The truth is that state capture happens when powerful individuals or families are allowed to manipulate the political system to their benefit, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or national background. Whether in South Africa, Jamaica, or anywhere else, this is a matter of corrupt individuals exploiting systems for personal gain, destabilising economies, and hurting ordinary citizens.

This is why the response of ‘VXtruth’ is not just misguided; it is dangerous. It is a thinly veiled justification for state capture — masking it in divisive rhetoric designed to distract from the real issue. We cannot allow these arguments to take root. We cannot let the concept of state capture be warped into an ideological battleground where the real problems are overlooked in favour of racial scapegoating.

REMAIN VIGILANT

It is essential that we as a society remain vigilant in recognising these efforts to downplay or justify corruption. In Jamaica, we have seen similar instances of state capture, where political elites and business magnates have colluded to enrich themselves at the expense of the public. The consequences have been devastating for our economy, our infrastructure, and the welfare of our people. If we are to move forward as a nation, we must reject the notion that state capture is inevitable or that it is an acceptable form of governance, regardless of who is in power.

The lesson from South Africa is clear: corruption is corruption, no matter who holds power. The impact of state capture is devastating to citizens —it erodes public trust, distorts markets, and stifles economic growth. Our focus must be on dismantling these systems of exploitation whether they are perpetrated by government officials, private- sector actors, or anyone else. We must demand accountability from all those who wield power, and we must ensure that the structures we put in place serve the people, not just the powerful few.

The solution lies not in the structure of governance itself, but in our collective ability to hold those in power accountable. It is through a transparent, just, and equitable system that we can protect the interests of all Jamaicans, ensuring that the State serves the people, not the other way around.

As we continue to navigate the challenges of governance and development in Jamaica and the Caribbean, let us remain focused on building an accountable, fair system — one that rejects both state capture and the divisive rhetoric that seeks to justify it. Let us keep our eyes on the real goal: a society where power is used to uplift, not exploit. Only then can we truly address the issues of corruption and inequality that continue to plague our nations.

Dennis Minott, PhD, is the CEO of A-QuEST-FAIR. He is a multilingual green resources specialist, a research physicist, and a modest mathematician who worked in the oil and energy sector. Send feedback to a_quest57@yahoo.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.