Corruption in South Africa is a longstanding issue, deeply embedded in the fabric of the nation’s governance and institutions, yet tangible progress remains elusive despite years of investigations and billions of rands spent. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who rose to power in 2018 promising to tackle corruption, has faced criticism for slow action, leaving many South Africans frustrated as systemic rot continues to undermine the economy, public safety, and trust in the state.
For years, allegations of corruption have plagued South Africa’s government, with high-profile scandals like the State Capture era under former President Jacob Zuma exposing widespread looting of public resources. The Zondo Commission, established in 2018 to investigate State Capture, cost taxpayers over R1 billion and produced a detailed report implicating numerous officials and private entities. Yet, as Action SA noted in July 2025, the report “gathers dust,” with few meaningful prosecutions or reforms implemented. This lack of follow-through has fueled public skepticism about the government’s commitment to accountability.
Recent events underscore this frustration. On July 6, 2025, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations, accusing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and senior officials of colluding with criminal syndicates, including drug cartels, and interfering in investigations, notably by attempting to disband a task force probing political killings. These claims, supported by digital evidence like WhatsApp messages, suggest deep infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence, and judicial systems by criminal networks. Despite the gravity of these accusations, President Ramaphosa’s response—suspending Mchunu on July 13 and launching a Judicial Commission of Inquiry—has been criticized as inadequate and delayed, with Action SA calling it “kicking the can down the road.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has long been accused of failing to combat crime effectively, with corruption eroding its credibility. Mkhwanazi’s allegations highlight a “sophisticated criminal syndicate” infiltrating SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, and metropolitan police departments in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane. He claimed Mchunu sought to protect figures like businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, linked to a R360 million police contract, and Oupa “Brown” Mogotsi, allegedly influencing Mchunu’s decisions. Since 2000, four of five permanently appointed national police commissioners have been removed for corruption or incompetence, underscoring systemic dysfunction.
South Africa’s corruption crisis, ranked 82nd on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, hampers economic growth and exacerbates violent crime, including one of the world’s highest murder rates. The infiltration of state institutions by criminal networks undermines investor confidence, already strained by U.S. President Donald Trump’s 30% tariff on South African imports, announced in July 2025, which threatens key agricultural sectors. Ordinary citizens bear the brunt, with corruption enabling brazen criminality, from gang violence to construction mafias, as noted by Ramaphosa in his July 13 address.
South Africans are demanding decisive action, not more “talk shops.” The government must prioritize prosecutions, systemic reforms, and international cooperation to tackle illicit financial flows and transnational crime networks. Enhancing human capital in trade and justice sectors, as suggested in discussions around export diversification, could also strengthen institutional resilience. For agriculture, a key economic driver, addressing corruption is critical to maintaining export markets and rural livelihoods amid tariff pressures.
Corruption in South Africa is not new, but the lack of accountability is a growing wound. With public trust eroding and criminals emboldened, the time for empty promises has passed. Ramaphosa’s legacy hinges on whether he can deliver justice and restore integrity to a state teetering on the edge of collapse.
South Africa’s agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, faces escalating challenges from violent farm attacks, murders, and livestock theft, compounded by allegations of police inaction and, in some cases, complicity. These issues not only threaten rural safety and food security but also deepen distrust in the South African Police Service (SAPS), raising questions about systemic corruption and its impact on justice for farming communities.
We need to take action as citizens- we waited to lomg to take action.
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by CRA and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
