South Africa does not have a corruption problem alone, writes Corruption Watch’s Melusi Ncala – it also has a selective outrage problem. The Constitutional Court’s Phala Phala ruling of 11 May may be the moment South Africa discovers whether our society is capable, finally, of applying the same standard to those it admires as to those it despises.
Corruption Watch today releases its 14th annual corruption report, titled Ke Nako: Mobilising for justice, with the aim of gathering all sectors into the fight against corruption, as this is not a goal that can be achieved by only one or two participants. The time has come for all of society to demand justice and accountability from those in power, says board chairperson Themba Maseko.
Whistle-blowers are the lifeblood of democracy, writes NWU’s Angeline Marokoane, yet South Africa’s system is designed to abandon them. This poignant statement emerged at a recent dialogue, held at the North-West University on the use – and perils – of investigative journalism in holding the powerful to account. The panel, comprising Khaya Sithole, Pauli van Wyk, Kyle Cowan, and Sikonathi Mantshantsha, made recommendations as to how investigative journalism in the country can be strengthened.
Corruption Watch (CW) will release its annual corruption report, Ke Nako: Mobilising for justice, on Monday, 25 May 2026. The report comes as the organisation sets out on its new development path of Vision 2030 that will define its strategic direction for the next four years.
South Africans are largely unhappy with democracy in the country, according to new survey results released recently by Afrobarometer. Furthermore, in terms of tackling corruption they rate their government the worst out of all African countries surveyed, while over three-quarters of survey respondents now suspect the Presidency of being the most corrupt institution in the country, even more so than members of the police or Parliament.
The fifth and final episode of Corruption Watch’s new five-part podcast series on climate governance is now available. In this episode, we discuss what needs to happen for climate change management to benefit those who feel the devastating effects most keenly – the communities on the ground – and for the just transition to be truly just. Experts and community representatives from previous episodes share their thoughts.
Organisations across civil society led by Corruption Watch have called for the Department of Justice to consider extending the deadline for public comments for the Protected Disclosures Bill, 2026. The group notes serious gaps in the current version of the bill and inadequate public awareness as its reasons, and is asking for a month’s extension to allow the public to fully engage with the bill’s provisions.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) encourages the public to comment on the Reviewed White Paper on Local Government, which was gazetted by Cogta minister Velenkosini Hlabisa on 7 May. Any person or institution wishing to submit comments must do so by no later than 28 May 2026.
A coalition of civil society organisations led by Corruption Watch will host a media briefing on Wednesday 13 May 2026 to reveal a joint submission on the Protected Disclosures Bill.
The joint submission will cover significant gaps identified by the collective since the bill was released by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi for public comments on 9 April. The briefing will provide an opportunity for the media to engage with the organisations on key aspects of the bill that they view as needing urgent attention.