Building a Capable State: South Africa’s Collective Fight Against Corruption

By Mava Scott

The fight against corruption remains one of the major priorities of the Seventh Administration. Law enforcement agencies are acting swiftly to arrest, suspend or otherwise hold accountable those suspected of involvement in corruption. This commitment is re-enforced through a range of measures, including the ongoing judicial commission to investigate serious allegations of corruption, criminality and the infiltration of law enforcement agencies.

The Commission, now commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, began public hearings on 17 September 2025 and has since submitted two interim reports to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The revelations emerging from the Commission show that corruption remains one of the greatest challenges facing the country and a serious threat to building a South Africa that works for everyone. Corruption undermines the rule of law and has the potential to reverse the gains being made to build a capable, ethical and developmental state as well as to efficiently use limited public resources to improve people’s lives.

These revelations would not have been possible without the courage of active citizens who chose to report acts of corruption and abuse of power. Their actions remind us that the fight against corruption cannot be left to government alone.

The recommendations and referrals of the Madlanga Commission are being implemented through the SAPS Special Task Team which has already produced tangible results. Working with the National Prosecuting Authority, the Task Team is holding accountable those against whom there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.

To date, 16 people, including 12 senior police officials and a company director linked to a health and wellness services tender, have been arrested. In addition, 18 senior SAPS officials, including members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, have either been suspended or served with notices of suspension. Some officials, including Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Major General Richard Shibiri, have been dismissed.

The State Security Agency has also been tasked with carrying out security screening and lifestyle reviews across the South African Police Service (SAPS), with particular focus on senior officials in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, Crime Intelligence, Forensic Services and Supply Chain Management.

These swift and decisive actions show that government is committed to holding those involved in corruption accountable and that no one is above the law. The arrests, suspensions and dismissals also strengthen efforts to rebuild, protect and restore confidence in the criminal justice system, which is essential to the proper functioning of South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

Government’s commitment to fighting corruption and strengthening accountability is also reflected in the continued implementation of the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, popularly known as the State Capture Commission. 

In March this year, former Member of Parliament Vincent Smith was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on charges including fraud and corruption linked to state capture. His conviction was the sixth State Capture-related case to be concluded with a guilty verdict, while several other high-profile matters are scheduled for trial, including cases related to the Free State asbestos removal project, SA Express and Transnet contracts.

Further progress has been recorded through the recovery of more than R17.1 billion in assets gained from criminal activities, while 62% of the 60 recommended actions from the State Capture Commission have been addressed. These decisive actions demonstrate that the fight against corruption extends beyond investigations and prosecutions; it also includes recovering stolen public resources.

This anti-corruption drive has also extended to other areas of government. In January 2026, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, arrested the Director-General and two other senior officials from the National Department of Health in connection with allegations involving more than R1 million in unauthorised expenditure during the 2023–2024 financial year.

Similarly, the Border Management Authority dismissed more than 50 immigration officials implicated in corrupt activities in March this year.

These actions demonstrate that while progress is being made in addressing corruption, the fight requires sustained vigilance and continuous strengthening of interventions across all spheres of government.

Rooting out corruption requires more than responding to wrongdoing after it occurs; it requires stronger prevention measures, improved oversight, ethical leadership and systems that detect and address vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Government will continue to strengthen accountability mechanisms, enhance institutional integrity and work with all sectors of society to ensure that public resources are protected and used for their intended purpose.

All South Africans have a role to play in blowing the whistle on corruption. We encourage anyone who is aware of wrongdoing to report it to the National Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 701 701.

*Scott is Chief Director at Government Communication and Information System: Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster

 

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