Corruption Watch (CW) chairperson Professor Themba Maseko said on Thursday that the high number of corruption issues in the policing sector is an indication of government’s inadequacy in confronting challenges in policing, safety and security; access to education; and a range of rights and services intended to improve people’s lives.

The CW released its thirteenth annual corruption report, 'Accountable Together', which highlighted that the share of corruption in the policing sector stood at 13%, which Maseko said constituted the highest number of reports received by subsector, with the second highest number of complaints received from the business sector, at 12%, followed by basic education at 11%, and State-owned entities at 7%.

He also highlighted the contribution of business to South Africa’s levels of corruption and the lack of appetite to address its impact.

In 2024, the organisation received 546 corruption complaints – substantially less than the previous year’s 2 110.

“…while not intentional, internal processes leading to a period of transition required a refocus of resources and a thorough review of our systems. Although this was a temporary measure that has since found resolution, it meant holding off on soliciting new complaints during that time, to restructure our systems,” he explained.

He said maladministration – a persistent area of concern – accounted for 34% of reports – topping the types of corruption featuring in 2024, followed by fraud at 21%, employment irregularities at 16%, bribery or extortion at 5%, and procurement irregularities at 13%.

He said it was unsurprising that corruption in local government emerged again as a key trend.

“The metropolitan municipalities of Johannesburg, Tshwane, Cape Town, eThekwini, and Ekurhuleni reflected the highest number of corruption reports in this category, collectively accounting for 51% of all corruption incidents reported,” he noted.

Gauteng had the highest number of reports across provinces, with 45% of complaints, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 11%, Western Cape with 9%, and Eastern Cape with 8%.

Meanwhile, he urged accountability from the Government of National Unity (GNU) and from citizens, saying it was on citizens to do their best to counter the decline in moral standards.

“It has also never been more important for every single one of us to demand accountability, not only from the GNU on all levels of government, but also from each other for our own stances in combating corruption, and for our efforts to counter the moral, economic, and physical decline evident across the country,” he said.

He highlighted that accountability must begin with every individual and extend to every level of society, business, and government.

“Our freedom, so clearly articulated in the Bill of Rights, comes with the responsibility to be accountable and to accept the consequences of our actions.

“This year, CW encourages all its supporters, partners, donors, and funders to be 'accountable together' in the interest of bringing South Africa back to the pedestal it once enjoyed as an inspiration for many other nations on the continent and abroad,” he stated.

He noted that accountability for CW meant that the rule of law should be respected and proper processes followed, so that those who were found guilty of wrongdoing received a just sanction, justly arrived at.

“It also means that the whistleblowers who continue to come to us will feel that their concerns have been heard, as they remain a focal point of our work. We support them according to our resources and capacity, in whatever way will be most impactful, and we owe it to them to do our utmost to restore the rule of law,” he explained.