As Johannesburg crumbles under years of political dysfunction and corruption, business has offered to help fix the city. Corruption Watch's Janine Erasmus warns this must never become a substitute for accountability or an excuse for leaders to escape the consequences of their failures.

As Johannesburg crumbles under years of political dysfunction and corruption, business has offered to help fix the city. Corruption Watch's Janine Erasmus warns this must never become a substitute for accountability or an excuse for leaders to escape the consequences of their failures.

Can business save Joburg – without letting leaders off the hook?

Opinion

The Independent Electoral Commission has officially launched the 2026 local government elections, marking the commencement of the mass awareness campaign towards Election Day in November. This is after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced 4 November 2026 as the date for South Africa’s upcoming local government elections. Currently there are just under 28 000 000 registered voters on the roll.

The Independent Electoral Commission has officially launched the 2026 local government elections, marking the commencement of the mass awareness campaign towards Election Day in November. This is after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced 4 November 2026 as the date for South Africa’s upcoming local government elections. Currently there are just under 28 000 000 registered voters on the roll.

IEC officially launches the 2026 Local Government Elections campaign

Corruption news

Civil society calls for urgent govt action on NACAC anti-corruption proposals

The Civil Society Working Group on State Capture has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to publish a clear and substantive government response to the report of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, which was submitted in August 2025. This response must set out a time-bound implementation plan for reforming South Africa’s anti-corruption architecture, including a decision on the proposed Office of Public Integrity.

The Civil Society Working Group on State Capture has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to publish a clear and substantive government response to the report of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, which was submitted in August 2025. This response must set out a time-bound implementation plan for reforming South Africa’s anti-corruption architecture, including a decision on the proposed Office of Public Integrity.

Corruption Watch has received no response to its urgent letter sent to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development last week, in connection with applications for a vacancy at the South African Human Rights Commission. The organisation cited concerns regarding meaningful public participation in the appointment process, and asked for clarity on other concerns.

Corruption Watch has received no response to its urgent letter sent to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development last week, in connection with applications for a vacancy at the South African Human Rights Commission. The organisation cited concerns regarding meaningful public participation in the appointment process, and asked for clarity on other concerns.

Parliament is repeating its mistakes on Chapter 9 appointments

Corruption Watch, in collaboration with Social Change Assistance Trust or SCAT, and Transparency International, and co-funded by the European Union, has embarked on the Strengthening Action Against Corruption (SAAC) project which focuses specifically on empowering and educating community advice offices/civil society organisations in the Eastern Cape province. Follow our activities here.

Strengthening Action Against Corruption