When we think of state capture, allegations of the wealthy Gupta family using friendship with President Jacob Zuma to generate profits and exert influence spring to mind. Perhaps we think of specific examples - the landing at an air force base of a private plane full of guests for a family wedding, or the claims of a deputy minister and a former ANC MP that the Guptas offered them top jobs.State capture is defined as a type of systemic political corruption in which private interests significantly influence a state's decision-making processes to their own advantage - through channels that are not obvious and which might not be illegal.For the most part, the focus on the Guptas' alleged involvement in state capture has been at a national level.But it appears their tentacles and influence reach down to the municipal level as well.Since 2010 the Saxonwold & Parkwood Residents Association has been opposing the Guptas' application to the City of Johannesburg to rezone their residential property to legitimise the construction of mansions they had already built and which are too large for the stands on which they are situated.Today The Times reveals that palatial building work at the Gupta's controversial compound in Saxonwold was given the thumbs up by the City of Joburg just days before the August local government election and on the same day that council officials visited the compound to assess the rezoning application.Days before the decision was made, an Ipos pre-election opinion poll predicted that the ANC would lose several major metros, including Johannesburg.The question is: Did people in the council see the electoral writing on the wall and use their positions to ensure friends of the president got the desired rezoning before a changing of the guard?Perhaps outgoing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela should add this to her investigation into state capture...