South Africa’s corruption index decline highlights how Ramaphosa is a failed president and must be replaced urgently

31 January 2024

South Africa’s decline in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) to a 12-year-low highlights how the country's anti-corruption efforts have regressed under President Cyril Ramaphosa, and that he urgently needs to be replaced in the elections this year. Only a government outside of the ruling party can begin the hard work of turning South Africa around and putting her back on the path to prosperity.

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, to date, has failed to prosecute State Capture crimes. This is the legacy voters should judge Ramaphosa and the ruling party on when they head to the polls this year.

As a party that believes in the rule of law, ActionSA agitates for drastic action that needs to be taken to end corruption which has become ubiquitous in the state by removing corrupt leaders who only serve their self-interest. We believe whistle-blowers like Babita Deokaran should be protected when blowing the whistle on corruption, and that Chapter 9 of the Constitution be amended to establish an independent corruption-busting unit like the Scorpions.

ActionSA is not a party of words, but a party of action with a plan to fix South Africa. As proven by my time as the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, where I have a track record of fighting corruption. During my term in office, over R35 billion in corruption was uncovered; leading to over 600 arrests, but that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) failed to put behind bars where they belong. ActionSA aims to replicate this work nationwide by re-establishing the Scorpions and capacitating the NPA’s forensic capacity to ensure those guilty of crimes end up in jail.

ActionSA also seeks to increase the minimum sentence for anyone guilty of corruption in transactions exceeding R500 000 to 15 years imprisonment without the possibility of a fine or parole. In government, we would also introduce e-procurement systems that reduce human intervention in procurement decision-making to diminish the possibility of corruption.

It is only when we are tough on corruption and our leaders set the example that we will be able to defeat the beast that is corruption in South Africa.

The ruling party has consistently shown that it lacks the political will to act on corruption, and instead perpetuates it, which is why South Africans should take action to remove it from power this year and vote for an ActionSA that will be fearless in tackling corruption head-on.

Issued by Herman Mashaba, President, ActionSA, 31 January 2024