PROJECT: CORRUPTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
- isabels39
- Apr 30
- 6 min read
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How Deep Does Corruption Go in South Africa?
Government Officials, Paperwork, Developments and Infrastructure
Corruption in South Africa runs extremely deep, and it affects nearly every aspect of government operations,
paperwork, and development initiatives. Despite constitutional protection and an independent judiciary,
systemic corruption continues to erode public trust, cripple service delivery, and threaten the country's economic stability.
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WIDESPREAD PERCEPTION AND EVIDENCE OF CORRUPTION:
Most South Africans believe that corruption is on the rise.
Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perception Index shows South Africa scored 41 out of 100, ranking 82nd globally — a clear signal of persistent problems.
While direct bribery among citizens may not be as common as in some neighbouring countries, the effects of grand corruption — involving vast sums of public money — are plainly visible in everyday life, from crumbling infrastructure to underfunded hospitals and schools.
CORRUPTION HIDDEN IN PAPERWORK:
One of the most alarming aspects of corruption is how it is seamlessly woven into the bureaucratic paperwork of government:
VAGUE LINE ITEMS:
Reports often list expenditures under generic labels such as "consulting fees," "strategic development services," or "operational support," without detailed descriptions.
In some cases, even senior officials (such as CEOs of sports bodies or state-owned enterprises) are unaware of what these expenses entail.
INFLATED COSTS AND GHOST SERVICES:
Contracts are frequently awarded for overpriced, duplicated, or never-rendered services. Paper trails are manipulated to justify payments, making it difficult to detect fraud without forensic audits.
OVERSIGHT BODIES' CHALLENGES:
Parliamentary committees tasked with monitoring expenditure often lack the necessary capacity, independence, or political will to interrogate suspicious spending effectively.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CONCEALMENT:
Beneficiaries of state contracts are often politically connected individuals or businesses using complex corporate structures to avoid detection.
STATE CAPTURE AND TENDER CORRUPTION:
South Africa's most infamous period of corruption was during the "state capture" era under former President Jacob Zuma.
This saw private individuals, notably the Gupta family, exerting undue influence over government departments and state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
Billions were siphoned off through rigged tenders, fake consultancy fees, and manipulated procurement processes.
Although state capture has been partly exposed, many underlying systems that enabled it, remain intact.
NOTORIOUS EXAMPLES:
KUSILE POWER STATION:
Kusile, one of Eskom’s mega coal-fired power stations, was intended to help resolve South Africa’s energy crisis.
Initially budgeted at R81 billion, the project has since ballooned to over R233 billion and is still incomplete after more than 15 years.
KEY ISSUES:
The Zondo Commission found that Gupta-linked companies, including those associated with the global consultancy McKinsey and the now-defunct Trillian Capital, benefited from Eskom contracts without delivering measurable value.
Maladministration and procurement fraud led to design defects, chronic delays, and frequent breakdowns.
Corruption inflated costs and diverted funds from the maintenance of existing infrastructure.
IMPACT:
Extended load shedding owing to insufficient generation capacity.
Billions in cost overruns have now been passed on to taxpayers and electricity users through higher tariffs.
Long-term damage to investor confidence in large-scale public infrastructure projects
PRASA:
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) was intended to deliver safe and affordable urban transport.
Instead, a decade of corruption has led to the near-total collapse of the rail network in key metros.
KEY ISSUES:
Between 2012 and 2017, PRASA paid over R2.6 billion to contractors, such as Swifambo Rail Leasing, for locomotives that were not suitable for South African rail lines.
Internal audits and testimony at the Zondo Commission revealed fraudulent tenders, ghost contracts, and political interference at the executive level.
By 2020, many train lines in Gauteng and the Western Cape had been stripped of their cables by thieves, leaving them abandoned.
IMPACT:
Millions of South Africans have lost access to affordable transportation, resulting in an increased reliance on taxis and higher commuting costs.
Infrastructure degradation created opportunities for criminal networks to establish a presence.
Significant losses of public funds without accountability.
DURBAN'S WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE COLLAPSE (ETHEKWINI):
In 2022 and 2023, large portions of Durban’s beaches and rivers became unusable owing to raw sewage leaks, the result of years of underinvestment and mismanagement in wastewater treatment infrastructure.
KEY ISSUES:
Tenders were allegedly awarded to politically connected companies that failed to maintain critical infrastructure, such as pump stations and treatment plants.
The Auditor-General reported consistent irregular expenditure and a lack of consequence management in Ethekwini Municipality.
IMPACT:
Loss of tourism revenue as beaches were closed due to E. coli contamination.
Public health risks for communities living near polluted rivers.
Estimated repairs to the water treatment network would cost over R7 billion, according to municipal reports.
CONTINUED CORRUPTION IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS:
Despite the end of the Zuma presidency, systemic corruption has not been eradicated. Many major infrastructure projects are still plagued by:
TENDER FRAUD:
Companies connected to corrupt officials are awarded construction or maintenance contracts despite being incapable of delivering the work.
OVERPRICING:
Inflated project costs result in less infrastructure being built within the allocated budgets.
ABANDONED PROJECTS:
Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke's 2023 report found that across national and provincial departments, projects worth R17 billion were either incomplete or abandoned, primarily owing to corruption-related issues.
Infrastructure delivery is still often a means to channel public funds to politically connected individuals rather than serving the public good.
THE IMPACT ON PUBLIC TRUST:
Decades of corruption scandals have eroded public trust in government entities to a profound extent.
Today, most South African people believe that public institutions serve private interests rather than the common good.
This mistrust undermines social cohesion, weakens democratic engagement, and fuels cynicism about elections, policy reforms, and public service initiatives.
In surveys and public discourse, many South Africans express a feeling of betrayal — a sentiment that extends beyond politicians to state departments, municipalities, and regulatory bodies.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE:
STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT INSTITUTIONS:
Equip agencies like the Auditor-General, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and Special Investigating Units with greater independence, resources, and authority to investigate and prosecute corruption without political interference.
PROFESSIONALISE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT:
Standardise and digitise tender processes across all departments to limit human discretion and improve transparency.
Implement a "cooling-off" period to prevent officials from joining companies to which they previously awarded contracts.
ENFORCE HARSH PENALTIES:
Regardless of status, corrupt individuals must face swift prosecution and meaningful sentences.
Asset forfeiture should be used aggressively to recover stolen public funds.
PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWERS:
Create stronger legal protection and incentives for individuals who report corruption within government and the private sector.
CIVIC EDUCATION AND MOBILISATION:
Encourage active citizenship and civil society participation in monitoring government projects, reporting irregularities, and holding public officials accountable.
CULTURAL SHIFT:
Leaders at every level must promote a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Anti-corruption values should be emphasised through public campaigns, education, and leadership by example.
Corruption in South Africa is not confined to isolated cases — it is embedded in official paperwork,
tender systems, and the very development projects meant to uplift citizens.
Without decisive and consistent action, South Africa risks a future of worsening poverty, inequality, and political instability.
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https://www.facebook.com/share/194QtjsaGb/?mibextid=wwXIfr Liam Jacob’s (follow the audit trail of misappropriation of state funds)
Sir, this is a worthy collaboration (just imagine “catching” the corrupt thieves 🫢🤫 Millions and billions of state funds (look at his questioning parliament and what he is exposing to the public). This man will need protection very soon 🫶🏼🙏🏼🫶🏼
Proud of you! Keep up the excellent work 🫡 Respect
This will NEVER end, I see the whole country going into TOTAL collapse plus a drastic recession. Fortunately I'm on the out.