Corruption remains one of South Africa’s most serious governance challenges, with new data showing that the overwhelming majority of public complaints received last year were linked to fraud, bribery, abuse of power, and maladministration.
According to the 2025 annual report released by Corruption Watch, titled Ke Nako: Mobilising for Justice, whistle-blowers continue to play a critical role in exposing corruption across multiple sectors despite growing fears over their personal safety.
The report revealed that 91% of the 2,222 complaints received during the reporting period related directly to corruption.
Maladministration accounted for the highest number of reports at 408 cases, followed by fraud at 330 and bribery or extortion at 245.
Other recurring allegations included procurement irregularities, dereliction of duty, misuse of public resources, and abuse of authority.
The findings highlight the extent to which corruption continues to affect both public institutions and private sector operations in South Africa.
Police and government departments among most reported sectors
The report identified policing as the sector receiving the highest number of corruption complaints, with 300 reports linked to law enforcement agencies.
Basic education ranked second with 221 complaints, followed closely by business-related corruption at 219 cases.
State-owned enterprises, legal and financial services, the construction sector, and traffic and licensing departments also featured prominently in the report.
The South African Police Service emerged as the single most reported institution, followed by government departments responsible for education, justice, home affairs, and health.
Local government structures accounted for 400 complaints overall, while national government departments recorded 133 cases and state-owned enterprises registered 116 complaints.
Analysts say the continued concentration of complaints within public institutions reflects growing public frustration over accountability failures and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Gauteng remains the country’s corruption hotspot
Regionally, Gauteng remained the province with the highest number of reported corruption incidents, recording 993 complaints — nearly half of all cases nationwide.
KwaZulu-Natal followed with 249 cases, while Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape also recorded significant numbers of reports.
Themba Maseko said the findings demonstrate the urgent need for stronger anti-corruption interventions and institutional reform.
He added that South Africa must improve its standing in international corruption perception indicators and rebuild public confidence in governance systems.
Meanwhile, Lebogang Ramafoko praised whistle-blowers for continuing to expose corruption despite risks to their safety and livelihoods.
Ramafoko warned that anti-corruption efforts cannot rely solely on law enforcement agencies, arguing that some institutions responsible for combating corruption have themselves been compromised.
The report also raised concerns over the lack of adequate protection for whistle-blowers operating within government structures and public services.
Civil society organisations have repeatedly warned that individuals exposing corruption in South Africa often face intimidation, professional retaliation, financial hardship, and threats to their personal security.
Despite those challenges, Corruption Watch said public reporting remains essential to holding institutions accountable and strengthening transparency in both government and business.
Source: Adapted from Corruption Watch 2025 annual report.