ActionSA has lodged a formal complaint with the Public Protector, calling for an urgent and comprehensive investigation into what it describes as state capture-style conduct by Resolve Communications, the high-profile public affairs firm chaired by former Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon. The party’s explosive submission, filed on Friday, alleges that Resolve may have leveraged its deep political connections to gain improper access to government ministers and exert undue influence over policy decisions within the newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU), raising serious questions about ethics, transparency, and the integrity of the country’s democratic institutions.
In a detailed memorandum submitted to the office of Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, ActionSA accuses Resolve Communications of operating as a “shadow lobbying network” that blurs the line between legitimate public relations and illicit influence peddling. The complaint cites specific instances where the firm’s representatives allegedly attended high-level government meetings, drafted policy briefs, and facilitated private engagements between corporate clients and senior cabinet members—all without being formally registered as lobbyists or disclosing their interests, as required by law. ActionSA has also called for a parallel investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Hawks, arguing that the matter warrants a multi-agency response.
“Resolve Communications appears to have positioned itself as a back channel between corporate capital and political power, using access as a commodity to be traded,” said ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba during a media briefing in Johannesburg. “This is exactly the kind of conduct that defined the state capture era under Jacob Zuma. We cannot allow a new form of influence peddling to take root under the banner of the GNU. The Public Protector must act decisively to protect the integrity of our democracy.”
Tony Leon, who has maintained a prominent public profile since his tenure as DA leader and later as South Africa’s ambassador to Argentina, has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “baseless and politically motivated.” In a statement released through Resolve Communications, Leon said the firm operates with the highest ethical standards and has never engaged in any improper conduct. “Resolve Communications provides strategic communications and public affairs advice to a range of clients, in full compliance with the law. We have nothing to hide and welcome any investigation that will clear our name,” the statement read.
The complaint comes at a sensitive time for the GNU, which is still in its early stages and seeking to build public trust after years of political turbulence. Political analysts have noted that the allegations, regardless of their validity, could cast a shadow over the coalition government’s efforts to project an image of clean governance and reform. The Public Protector’s office has confirmed receipt of the complaint and indicated that it will conduct a preliminary assessment to determine whether a full investigation is warranted. As the process unfolds, the case is likely to reignite debates about lobbying regulation, political access, and the boundaries of influence in South Africa’s fragile democratic ecosystem.
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