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A new research study released last month focuses on how South Africans can be encouraged to adopt an anti-corruption mindset and work with the authorities to fight corruption. The study, released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), is titled Corruption and Behaviour Change: Tracking Social Norms and Values in South Africa, and was funded by GIZ, the German Agency for International Cooperation.
The study was founded on the objectives of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2020–2030, which calls for a “whole-of-society approach” to corruption – one in which all sectors and levels work together to support anti-corruption initiatives and ultimately, benefit from them. “The whole-of-society and integrated approach to the fight against corruption will help mitigate the risk of costly commissions of inquiry, forensic investigations, and other legal processes,” according to the NACS.
The NACS’ main premise is a greater emphasis on preventing corruption through good governance, transparency, integrity management and accountability in society, and early detection of potential corrupt practices. This is aimed at supplementing the largely reactive measures carried out by law enforcement agencies and other anti-corruption bodies in response to corruption already exposed.
The study was made possible by financial support from the Transparency, Integrity and Accountability Programme (TIP) under the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The study drew on data from the 2025 South African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) and featured both a qualitative and quantitative component, in which the research component, based on the SASAS framework and involving face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of individuals aged 16 and older, was complemented by a series of eight focus group discussions with South African youth.
Corruption prevalent at community level
Research did not rely solely on experiences of petty bribery, but captured perceptions of nepotism, sexual corruption, and procurement-related corruption, among others, said the HSRC.
The various sections explored factors such as perceptions of corrupt factors within occupations, perceptions of corruption as a pathway to success in South Africa, tolerance for certain corrupt behaviours, those who people identified as role models for good ethical conduct, whistle-blowers’ fear of retaliation, and the phenomenon of codes of silence, which discourage people from reporting wrongdoing within their social networks.
Most respondents (68%) lived in micro-level – that is, the place where they spend much of their time – communities where public sector corruption takes place at least sometimes, said the report.
“This micro-level focus is critical because, unlike perceptions of corruption at macro- (national leadership) or meso- (provincial government) levels, the public often has little direct experience with those distant governance tiers, relying instead on media reports or hearsay,” the report explains. “But things are different at the micro-level; at the local level, citizens typically have more tangible exposure to corrupt practices because local officials and public service providers directly impact daily life through service delivery and resource allocation.”
Results showed that only a relatively small segment (32%) of the public believed they live in areas free of public sector corruption.
Public sector bribery again stands out
Furthermore, 52% of adults lived in neighbourhoods and villages with public sector bribery, while 58% experienced officials hiring unqualified friends and family, the study revealed. About half (51%) of adults stated that they or a close family member had recently encountered a public official who suggested or requested a bribe or favour in exchange for a service.
“A noteworthy minority of the adult public said that they lived in an area where people paid to public officials either often (11%) or very often (5%),” the results revealed. “Economic disadvantage increased the odds that a person would live in a community characterised by public sector corruption. There were also geographic variations here, with certain provinces (e.g. Limpopo and the Free State) containing more corrupt micro-level communities than others. In addition, there was a notable difference between urban and rural areas, with farm residents exhibiting higher corruption perceptions than their counterparts in rural villages or in urban areas.”
The study also looked at sexual corruption and found that 59% of the general population thought that public officials demand sexual favours from individuals at least from time to time. “Our research showed a higher level of indirect experience of sexual corruption in the public sector than in the private sector. Economic hardship was identified as a factor that increased the odds of being indirectly exposed to sexual corruption.”
In other words, unscrupulous officials callously exploit people’s desperation and personal circumstances for personal gain or gratification, indirectly exposing more people to the heinous practice.
The study also found that people who lived in areas where other types of corruption such as bribery or nepotism were common, were more likely to have indirect experience of sexual corruption. “The influence of socio-economic inequality in sustaining sexual corruption was also highlighted in the qualitative research component.”
In terms of corruption in the workplace, around 42% of employed adults indicated that bribery occurs within their professions, and public sector workers reported higher levels of corrupt practices than did their counterparts from the private sector. Nearly half (49%) of employed adults reported rules being bent – to a greater or lesser degree – to benefit friends or family, and over half observed corruption linked to financial gain or bribery within their work environment.
These findings, said the report, underscore the importance of tailoring anti-corruption initiatives to occupational contexts, focusing on sectors and regions with higher corruption risks.
Overall, the report stated, “The data shows that reform is needed to promote a culture of zero-tolerance for corruption in the country. Yet there is some hope for the future, as our results show a growing public appetite to confront and combat corruption.”
All of this is important to reflect on, with local government elections coming up at the end of this year. This type of information helps voters to decide who will be worthy of their vote – and it is a crucial decision because a vote is a powerful tool of democracy, not to be given away lightly.
Way forward
“In conclusion, the comprehensive findings from this study underscore that while South Africans are widely aware of corruption and its harmful effects, significant challenges remain in transforming this awareness into effective anti-corruption action,” the report notes, mentioning persistent fears of retaliation, varying levels of trust and awareness about reporting mechanisms, and entrenched social and workplace norms as contributing factors.
“To move forward, anti-corruption efforts must adopt a multifaceted, targeted approach that simultaneously addresses these fears, strengthens institutional protections and enforcement, and fosters culture change through education and community engagement.”
There are various ways to achieve these desired outcomes, such as prioritising practical governance improvements, empowering vulnerable populations, and enhancing the accessibility and credibility of reporting channels.
Using these methods to the best effect, “South Africa can build a more resilient, inclusive, and integrity-driven society where citizens are supported and motivated to stand against corruption without fear.”
