Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
02 February 2024 | 09:00 CAT
2 min read

South Africa’s public sector corruption index has hit an all-time low, scoring 41 out of 100, the lowest score recorded since Corruption Watch began tracking corruption levels 12 years ago. According to the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), corruption is still a significant problem worldwide.

The CPI, which was released on Tuesday by Transparency International, a global anti-corruption movement, evaluates and ranks 180 countries and territories across the globe based on their perceived levels of corruption in the public sector. The scores range from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Herman Mashaba, President of ActionSA, believes that the decline in South Africa’s Corruption Index highlights Ramaphosa’s failure as a president and the urgent need for his replacement.

Action SA said in a statement, “Despite the President and the ruling party’s promises, Ramaphosa has simply failed to act against corruption and has, instead, found himself complicit in corruption through the Phala Phala Dollars found “under his mattress”, allowing for porous borders and bribes at the higher education department. His government spent over R1 billion on the Zondo Commission but has failed to prosecute State Capture crimes to date.”

ActionSA called on voters to consider the ruling party’s legacy under President Ramaphosa when heading to the polls this year.

Mashaba told Radio Islam, “It is up to the voters to make the decision, but we are unapologetic that we need to remove President Ramaphosa because it is under his watch that SA is regarded as one of the most corrupt nations. We need to put in a government that can be accountable to the people of SA and stop the blatant corruption.”

The report listed South Africa as a country of concern, citing the fact that it has been almost 30 years since the end of Apartheid and the beginning of a new democratic era. Despite this milestone and the hope that corruption would come to an end with the establishment of a just governmental system, South Africa’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score has decreased over the past five years.

According to Transparency International, ahead of the 2024 General Elections, the government is leading anti-corruption efforts by creating the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council. This presents an opportunity to launch campaigns focusing on political parties and their manifestos while mobilising the public and civil society to hold leaders accountable.

The global anti-corruption movement suggests South Africa needs to build on the Zondo Commission’s recommendations to strengthen systems and legislation while reducing corruption opportunities.

LISTEN to the full interview with Mualimah Annisa Essack and Herman Mashaba, President of ActionSA, here.