Retired Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has declared that South Africa’s decades-long battle against corruption has failed, with graft worsening since the dawn of democracy in 1994.
Speaking at the South African Council of Churches’ (SACC) National Anti-Corruption Conference in Johannesburg, Zondo expressed frustration over the country’s inability to curb corruption despite sustained efforts.
“It has been over 30 years since 1994, and we have been fighting corruption. But instead of it going down, it is going up,” Zondo said. “It is as if we are not fighting.”
The conference brought together church leaders from across the nation to strategize and take a unified stand against corruption. Zondo, who chaired the landmark State Capture Commission, has been a vocal critic of systemic corruption in both government and the private sector.
His remarks highlight growing concerns over South Africa’s struggle to hold powerful figures accountable, with high-profile corruption cases often stalling or collapsing. The SACC has positioned itself as a moral voice in the fight, urging stronger action from law enforcement and civil society.
As the country approaches another election cycle, Zondo’s stark assessment raises urgent questions about whether South Africa can reverse its losing streak against graft.