Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has implored law enforcement agencies to investigate and charge all those implicated in corruption and state capture without having to wait for a judicial commission of inquiry.

Ramaphosa was addressing MPs during a question-and-answer session yesterday.

He said it should be "all systems go" on the judicial commission of inquiry once the high court has taken a decision on President Jacob Zuma's review application.

Zuma had asked the high court to review former public protector Thuli Madonsela's remedial action, arguing that the public protector does not have the power to dictate to the president what to do with his executive powers.

"There is ample evidence of capture of key state institutions to advance private interests. Efforts to divert public resources into the hands of few families and individuals is continuing. The depth of state capture is fully revealed," said the deputy president.

"Prosecution of those implicated does not need to wait for the commission. Those who have broken the law should be criminally charged and be made to account."

He said corruption is "an enemy of the people". He also admitted to reading investigative journalist Jacques Pauw's book, The President's Keepers, but said he had not finished it yet. On legal challenges to stop the book from being published, Ramaphosa said the media should not be muzzled.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane told Ramaphosa: "You are the second in charge in South Africa. You are the highest person who could have done something on the issues that are alleged in SOEs [state-owned enterprises]."