Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
5-minute read | 23 January 2026

📸 Dr Imraan Buccus unpacks corruption, crime, and South Africa’s political crisis in his new book Promises and Peril

South Africa is grappling with a complex political and social crisis, driven by corruption, crime, and declining faith in democratic institutions. These challenges are explored in detail in the newly released book Promises and Peril: The South African Crisis by political analyst and academic Dr Imraan Buccus.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Dr Buccus described the book as a combination of personal reflection and critical political analysis, aiming to trace the roots of South Africa’s systemic challenges. “The first chapter is really, really personal,” he explained. “As a young boy interested in politics, I was also grappling with my own faith… I wanted to understand what Islam had to say about deprivation, racial division, and injustice.”

Dr Buccus recounted that, during the late apartheid years, some community leaders discouraged political engagement, labelling it “kufr politics.” However, he found guidance in organisations such as the Muslim Youth Movement, which connected Qur’anic teachings and Hadith to real-world issues of social justice, human dignity, and integrity. “For me, that commitment to a fight for justice was rooted in the personal — in being a Muslim and in Islam more generally,” he said, emphasising that his political ideology is grounded in faith rather than Marxism or social democracy.

He described corruption in South Africa as both pervasive and systemic, particularly in the post-apartheid era where access to state resources became a primary avenue for personal advancement. “When you move from apartheid to post-apartheid, people often use the state for their own social mobility,” he said. “The quickest facilitator for getting that new BMW is through the public purse.” He detailed how widespread looting, politicised tenders, and patronage networks exist across municipalities, provinces, and national departments. Corruption, he noted, has become normalised, with some public figures celebrated despite evidence of wrongdoing. Yet, he highlighted “glimmers of hope,” pointing to commissions like the Zondo and Madlanga inquiries, which are exposing entrenched corruption and demanding accountability from politicians and public officials.

Buccus explained that the line between the state and criminal networks is increasingly blurred. Politicians often form alliances with underworld actors to facilitate state capture and looting. “We’re seeing violent crime, assassinations, the construction mafia, and gang involvement in local politics,” he said. “If this is not addressed very soon, we’re going to see this escalate across the country.” He drew parallels with other countries where political movements remained in power for decades through alliances with criminal syndicates, highlighting the risk of systemic corruption becoming deeply entrenched.

Another key concern is the erosion of trust in democratic institutions. Citing Afrobarometer survey findings, Buccus noted that many young South Africans are disillusioned with the political system. “People no longer care who is in power; they want jobs, service delivery, and a functioning economy,” he said. “One young person told me, ‘So what? I can’t eat the constitution.’” Buccus warned that declining voter turnout and disillusionment among the youth could lead to a “democracy legitimacy crisis” if urgent interventions are not made.

Promises and Peril: The South African Crisis is available at Exclusive Books nationwide, the Baitul Hikmah Bookstore in Durban, through ASRI in Johannesburg, and at the Al-Qalam office.

Listen to the full ASRI Report on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Dr Imraan Buccus.