South Africa鈥檚 hints of clean governance
Corruption in high places remains a test for the country. Yet officials have scored some wins against graft and fraud, an opportunity to renew trust and civic values.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, shown here at a 2024 election rally in Johannesburg, this week announced a commission of inquiry into high-level corruption allegedly involving his cabinet鈥檚 national police minister.
AP/File
As its citizens demand integrity in their government, South Africa鈥檚 recent moves against corruption are gaining traction. In June, for example, a global financial watchdog indicated that Africa鈥檚 largest economy has made progress in curtailing illegal money transfers, perhaps allowing it to raise its credit standing. And a South African government watchdog found anti-corruption tribunals have shown 鈥渟ignificant鈥� effectiveness in recovering stolen public funds and holding perpetrators accountable.
Now a new challenge is testing President Cyril Ramaphosa and his commitment to rooting out corruption, especially among his political allies.
In early July, a provincial police chief publicly claimed that the national minister of police had sought to sabotage investigations of political killings. The claim also alleged the minister鈥檚 collusion with criminal syndicates and the involvement of other politicians as well as law enforcement officers and judicial officials.
Acknowledging that the allegations 鈥渞aise serious concerns,鈥� Mr. Ramaphosa placed the police minister on leave and announced a commission of inquiry. The incoming acting police minister, Firoz Cachalia, is a respected legal expert and veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle. He is expected to implement recommendations for police reform recently proposed by the National Anti-corruption Advisory Council, which he led.
Mr. Ramaphosa鈥檚 actions are being met with cautious optimism, perhaps heavier on the caution. A recent study showed that pervasive distrust of government and personal encounters with corruption have exerted a toll on civic norms.
Yet for crime reporter and author Caryn Dolley, who has faced death threats for her work, the latest antigraft moves offer 鈥渁 fragment of hope that deep-rooted corruption will finally be dealt with.鈥� To Omphemetse Sibanda, a law professor at the University of Limpopo, the commission on police corruption could 鈥渕ark the beginning of a new era of integrity.鈥�
Uprooting corruption requires 鈥渏ustice through the rule of law,鈥� commentator Rudi Kimmie wrote in The Mail & Guardian on Sunday. But, he noted, that task is not government鈥檚 alone. 鈥淚t is everyone鈥檚 responsibility,鈥� he wrote, one that calls for 鈥渃ultural ... shifts, and personal agency.鈥�