President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC) has recommended the creation of a permanent, independent body to tackle systemic corruption.
The council, which completed its three-year mandate, submitted its final report to the Presidency.
Established in 2022 to guide the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, NACAC proposed the Office of Public Integrity and Anti-Corruption.
The body would investigate, prevent and remedy corruption across both public and private sectors, echoing a central recommendation of the State Capture Commission.
Preventing Corruption
In his weekly letter, Ramaphosa said the fight against corruption cannot be reduced to arrests alone.
He argued that dismantling networks of patronage, strengthening institutions and closing regulatory loopholes are essential to lasting reform.
True success lies in prevention before corruption takes root in government, businesses or civil society, he added.
The NACAC report also called for tighter coordination among law enforcement agencies, the use of Artificial Intelligence to detect irregularities and a national data-sharing framework.
Ramaphosa stressed that corruption extends beyond the state.
He pointed to tax evasion, market manipulation, inflated contracts and tender collusion in the private sector. Warning that these practices cause serious harm to the economy, yet often face less scrutiny.
Investigations Under Way
The president noted ongoing work by the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
Current investigations involve the South African Post Office, Postbank, Eskom, Transnet, municipalities, water entities and an allegedly corrupt fuel tender.
“This year has seen several arrests linked to alleged corruption in Eskom, the South African Police Service, Transnet and in municipalities,” Ramaphosa said.
“While the allegations are disturbing, it is encouraging that they are being detected and acted upon.”
State Capture Legacy
The State Capture Commission, which sat from 2018 to 2021, exposed entrenched corruption across state-owned entities and tenders.
More than 1 500 people were implicated, but authorities have made only a few arrests and even fewer successful prosecutions.
Ramaphosa has faced criticism for keeping some implicated figures in his cabinet, but insists the government is acting on the commission’s recommendations.
“The fight against corruption is complex, multi-faceted and protracted,” he said. “It requires institutional reform as much as enforcement.”
Do you think a new anti-corruption watchdog will finally deliver real accountability in South Africa?
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