President Ramaphosa has devoted his latest weekly newsletter entirely to the fight against corruption. In his remarks, he emphasized that corruption doesn’t only flourish in state institutions—it also thrives in the private sector, and rooting it out demands deep institutional reform.
President Ramaphosa expressed full support for the findings of the National Anti‑Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC), emphasizing that South Africa’s long‑term success lies in preventing corruption, not just prosecuting wrongdoers.
In the newsletter, Ramaphosa acknowledged that issues such as tax evasion, market manipulation, inflated contracts, and collusive tendering by businesses inflict serious economic harm, yet garner far less attention than the corruption that takes place within government.
After three years of work, NACAC recently presented its final report to President Ramaphosa, introducing a flagship recommendation: the establishment of an independent, permanent anti‑corruption body known as the Office of Public Integrity (OPI). This institution would serve as a central mechanism for preventing, rather than merely responding to, corruption.
Ramaphosa underscored that dismantling long‑standing patronage networks and rebuilding systems are vital steps. Simply focusing on prosecutions without reforming enabling structures is insufficient.
Ramaphosa Recognizes Broader Corruption Beyond the State
In his newsletter, Ramaphosa praised law enforcement agencies for their successful arrests and convictions. Yet he cautioned that public expectations must go beyond seeing more convictions. The deeper challenge lies in repairing systems that allow corruption to take root in the first place.
He wrote:
“While there is a justifiable public expectation that there should be more convictions — including of those implicated in state capture — fighting corruption extends way beyond putting culprits in the dock.”
Ramaphosa stressed that building transparent, accountable, and ethical institutions—both in the public and private sectors—is essential to prevent future abuses and regain public trust.
The NACAC report, formally submitted to Ramaphosa, lays out a comprehensive blueprint for corruption prevention. Among its major proposals:
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The creation of the Office of Public Integrity as an independent, Chapter 9 institution to centralize anti‑corruption efforts and absorb existing investigative capacity from agencies like the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
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Strengthening coordination between law enforcement bodies, including public prosecutors and anti-corruption directorates.
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Leveraging advanced tools like artificial intelligence to detect corruption patterns and prevent wrongdoing.
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Establishing a robust anti-corruption data‑sharing framework across government and civil institutions.
President Ramaphosa called the recommendations “extensive” and “evidence-based,” affirming that the executive will prioritize review and prompt action.
The president made it clear that implementation of NACAC’s recommendations will follow established legal and institutional processes. The National Executive will now take steps to table the proposals in Cabinet and drive necessary reforms.
He reaffirmed that building integrity across both public and private spheres is vital to protect South Africa’s democracy, economy, and international standing.
President Ramaphosa’s vision for tackling corruption extends beyond prosecuting high-profile cases. It involves preventing the systemic conditions that allow corruption to emerge—whether manipulated government contracts or private sector schemes.
As he reminded the public, the fight demands rebuilding the values, norms, and systems across society.
Under President Ramaphosa’s leadership, the anti-corruption campaign is entering a new phase—one focused on prevention as much as punishment. His support for NACAC’s structural reforms, particularly the formation of the Office of Public Integrity, signals a commitment to more sustainable, systemic change.
The real test now lies in turning these well-articulated recommendations into effective action, to create a South Africa where corruption does not flourish in law or in practice.
