Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
5 February 2025 | 12:00 CAT
3-minute read

Image: IOL

The overarching view in the country ahead of this year’s SONA seems to be that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech ought to be less rhetoric and more substance.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) is urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to use the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to outline concrete measures in the fight against corruption, which remains one of South Africa’s most pressing crises.

Wayne Duvenhage, OUTA’s Chief Executive Officer, has called for decisive action to curb corruption, describing it as the primary driver of economic and social inequality in the country. “If we don’t deal with it…we’re just going to plod along while the criminal syndicates will continue to grow [and] we’re never going to get on top of it. And it is robbing the country of services and delivery, and the poorest of the poor suffer the most,” Duvenhage noted.

Despite repeated commitments from the government, Duvenhage argues that corruption has worsened since the era of state capture. The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) budget has been cut multiple times, while institutions like the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Public Protector’s office remain underfunded and understaffed, which all contribute to an ill-equipped justice system.

Duvenhage emphasised the need for specialised corruption courts to fast-track prosecutions, citing the complexity of financial crimes and money laundering. He noted that South Africa’s justice system remains ill-equipped to handle such cases efficiently.

He further criticised the government for failing to treat corruption as the national emergency it is. He cited the immediate interventions that government put in place during other crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and electricity predicament, saying that a similar response is required for corruption.

The credibility of the government’s anti-corruption stance came into question during the discussion. Reference was made to Minister Thembi Simelane, who remains in office despite facing serious allegations.

According to Duvenhage, the president’s failure to act against ministers with tarnished reputations sends the wrong message. He has the power to remove questionable figures instantly, yet he chooses not to. This weakens public trust and reinforces the perception that corruption is tolerated at the highest levels, Duvenage said.

Another key issue highlighted by OUTA is corruption within the police force, which remains a daily struggle for many South Africans. Duvenhage acknowledged that newly appointed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has inherited a deeply flawed system but expressed cautious optimism about his leadership.

Duvenhage opines that Mchunu, as one of the most effective ministers in the previous administration, will do well in his appointment. “He is committed… For instance, very recently he disbanded the political killings task team… because that task team was being abused,” he pointed out, adding that real change in the police force will require long-term structural reforms.

He emphasised that addressing police corruption requires more than increasing police presence, and proposed targeted strategies to root out corrupt officers, enforce accountability, and restore public confidence in law enforcement.

With SONA 2025 scheduled for tomorrow, all eyes will be on President Ramaphosa to see whether he will deliver a decisive plan to combat corruption or continue with broad promises that lack enforcement. OUTA insists that only bold, actionable measures will restore faith in the government’s ability to win the war on corruption.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.