'Mute the president' - Watchdog urges action, not words from Ramaphosa on corruption

South Africa’s fight against corruption remains deeply challenged, according to Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index.

Lebogang Ramafoko, Corruption Watch Executive Director, warned that the country’s score of 41 out of 100 reflects ongoing failures in accountability, with ordinary citizens bearing the brunt of corruption through service delivery failures and compromised public safety.

"If you live in Johannesburg and you live in Melville like I do, and you haven't had water for 24 days now - that is the impact of corruption.

“Unless you are a patient and you sleep on the floor when you are about to deliver a baby, and you are told by politicians that you actually enjoy sleeping on the floor. That is the impact of corruption.

“Or you have a murder case that needs to be investigated, but your docket goes missing.

“These numbers from Transparency International, they basically represent a basic failure because we have not paid attention to corruption in our country.

We are even below that global average. “

Ramafoko criticised the lack of political will, resources, and sophisticated investigative capacity to tackle corruption effectively, saying whistleblowers continue to face retaliation and that the current Protected Disclosures Act fails to protect them adequately.

She called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to move beyond words and deliver concrete action.

"The President has said so many things from the time he started, and was telling us Thuma Mina, what is going to change with what the President says? I actually wish we could mute the President and just see action."

She urged significant investment in the National Prosecuting Authority, the removal of officials implicated in corruption, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure accountability.

To listen to Ramafoko in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, click the audio below: