Cyril Ramaphosa ANC - DA x SANDF - South Africa
SA President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo: The Presidency, SA

Home » South African corruption: Why Mzansi doesn’t score a PASS mark

South African corruption: Why Mzansi doesn’t score a PASS mark

A worldwide index has bestowed expert-level status onto South African corruption. Here’s why Mzansi is on the wrong side of the ranking.

Cyril Ramaphosa ANC - DA x SANDF - South Africa
SA President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo: The Presidency, SA

We shouldn’t be surprised to hear South African corruption is some of the best in the world, surely? But, of course, it’s great to see South Africa’s unique brand of dishonesty getting the notoriety it deserves internationally, too.   

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Sarcasm aside – because if we didn’t laugh about South African corruption, we’d just collapse crying – a global index has ranked the world’s most corrupt countries. And, as you would expect, the rainbow nation has NOT passed with flying colours.

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SOUTH AFRICAN CORRUPTION

South African corruption
South African corruption ranks 83rd out of 180 nations globally according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Image: File

According to a Business Tech report, anti-corruption advocacy group Transparency International has released its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023. And Mzansi has achieved its worst score to date.

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The index ranks 180 countries using a calculation of 13 different data sources. It then scores the countries on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (squeaky clean). The CPI looks at the following:

  • Bribery.
  • Diversion of public funds.
  • Officials using public office for private gain.
  • Government’s ability to contain public-sector corruption.
  • Public-sector bureaucracy.
  • Nepotism.
  • Transparency of public officials’ finances.
  • Legal protection for bribery and corruption whistleblowers.
  • State capture through vested interests.
  • Access to information on public affairs.
  • Perceptions of corruption.

Honestly, look at these criteria. It reads like a Corruption 101 class most civil servants wish they could study before taking up office.  

HOW MZANSI RANKS

South African corruption
It doesn’t have to be this way. These children shouldn’t be raised in an environment of South African corruption. Image: File

Let’s cut to the chase, South African corruption ranks 83rd out of 180 in the world. In terms of scoring, we’re two positions lower than we were in 2022, receiving 41/100. This is well below the global average.

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For those of you who want to know the worst purveyors of corruption (ie. the good countries), for the sixth year running, it’s Denmark (90/100) on top. Second is Finland and then it’s New Zealand. Beyond the podium of least corruption nations, you’ve got Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany. This proves the Europeans need to up their corruption game, clearly.

THE TEN MOST CORRUPT

Somalia bombing
At least nine people were killed and several others wounded in simultaneous car bomb attacks in a town in central Somalia. Image from Flickr/Conecta Abogados

Conversely, the countries that have attained expert-level corruption are: Somalia, Venezuela, Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Nicaragua, North Korea, Haiti, Equatorial Guinea, Turkmenistan and Libya. Keep these places in mind when you’re plotting your next state-capture scheme.

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What do you think of South African corruption? Can Mzansi ever rid it from our society? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.