Corruption Watch has released its 14th annual corruption report, titled KeNako: Mobilising for justice, detailing 2,222 complaints received by the organization, with 91 percent classified as corruption-related. According to the report, maladministration accounted for 108 cases and fraud for 330 cases as of 2024, marking the predominant forms of reported corruption.
Lebogang Ramafoko, executive director at Corruption Watch, stated that the organization continues to receive approximately 185 reports per month from citizens, even without actively soliciting submissions in 2025. “Whistleblowers are key in protecting our democracy and in securing our fiscals,” Ramafoko said, emphasizing the critical role of public disclosures in combating corruption.
The report identifies the South African Police Service and the Department of Basic Education as the sectors generating the highest volume of complaints. Complaints were analyzed by sector and province, with KwaZulu-Natal ranking highest in reported cases. Ramafoko noted that these patterns reflect a broader erosion of accountability within public institutions.
“Corruption is not about individuals but about when a system is being taken over by organized crime by nefarious means,” Ramafoko explained, citing findings from a corruption risk assessment study conducted in the Eastern Cape. The report highlights concerns regarding appointment processes, where political considerations often override competence, enabling corrupt networks to persist across provincial boundaries.
Bribery and extortion were identified as prevalent issues within policing, with reports indicating that cases may be dismissed or ignored in exchange for payment. Ramafoko stressed that such practices undermine public trust and service delivery, with tangible consequences for communities.
The executive director also addressed the risks faced by whistleblowers, noting instances of retaliation, job loss, and in high-profile tender cases, threats to life. Ramafoko underscored the importance of the Public Disclosures Bill, currently open for public comment, as a vital mechanism to strengthen protections for those reporting corruption.
“Corruption is not victimless,” Ramafoko stated. “It means somebody will have a baby on the floor. It means the police will not come. It means the ambulance will not come. It means people will die. It means the poor will remain poor.”
Referencing investigations by the Special Investigating Unit and the Madlanga Commission, Ramafoko pointed to ongoing efforts to freeze assets linked to corruption but cautioned that political interference and weakened institutions continue to hinder progress. The report calls for an overhaul of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, adequate funding for anti-corruption bodies, and the establishment of an independent entity to address corruption as a specialized field.
With local government elections approaching, Ramafoko urged collective societal action. “All of us are potential whistleblowers,” they said. “We are responsible for making sure that we turn the tide on corruption.”
While acknowledging the challenges, Ramafoko expressed cautious optimism: “Given the sentiment that is turning around, given 2,000 people who have come out and said this is what is happening and we are not going to keep quiet, I am saying we are winning or at least making a dent.”
