Corruption Watch with a group from 10 community-based organisations presented the preliminary findings of a corruption risk assessment report on local government in the Eastern Cape.
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Corruption Watch (CW) today led a delegation of 10 community-based organisations (CBOs) supported through the Strengthening Action Against Corruption (SAAC) project in presenting preliminary findings from a corruption risk assessment (CRA) on local government in the Eastern Cape.
The report identifies governance shortcomings and control weaknesses across several municipalities, uncovered during assessments conducted in 2025. CW executive director Lebogang Ramafoko presented the key findings to legislators, outlining major areas of concern. A representative from the participating CBOs also highlighted recurring service delivery challenges experienced by their communities.
The legislature’s invitation followed ongoing advocacy efforts by CW and its SAAC partners—the Social Change Assistance Trust (SCAT) and Transparency International (TI)—to strengthen municipal accountability to communities. Since SAAC’s launch in 2024, participating CBOs have consistently documented service delivery failures, particularly in water provision, housing, and road maintenance.
“These issues may appear to be routine service delivery problems affecting much of South Africa, but the CRA provides a deeper analytical lens. It reinforces what CW and similar organisations have long argued: poor service delivery rarely occurs in isolation. It is often rooted in weakened governance systems, which create fertile ground for corruption,” said Ramafoko.
The assessment revealed systemic weaknesses in critical municipal functions, including supply chain and financial management, recruitment processes, procurement and tender systems, and the implementation of municipal programmes. A pervasive lack of accountability emerged as a central concern.
The report concludes that corruption in local government in the Eastern Cape is not incidental but systemic—a self-reinforcing ecosystem. At its core lies a “structural cycle of corruption,” where administrative dysfunction is deliberately sustained to enable the misappropriation of public funds.
Municipalities assessed include Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City metropolitan municipalities, as well as the Nyandeni, Emalahleni, Senqu, Makana, Kouga, Ingquza Hill, and Umzimvubu local municipalities.
Despite these challenges, the report highlights examples of effective governance that demonstrate the potential for reform. Senqu municipality is recognised as a leading example, having maintained clean audits through a robust “five lines of defence” assurance model. Improvements in Kouga and Umzimvubu further show that strong political will combined with administrative discipline can reverse patterns of mismanagement.
“Municipalities across South Africa can improve if they remain aligned with their integrated development plans and actively engage the communities they serve. Through SAAC, we aim to empower residents to understand municipal processes, hold leaders accountable, and assert their right to transparent governance,” Ramafoko added.
The report emphasises that tackling corruption requires targeted interventions beyond standard audits, particularly in areas where discretionary power is high. Key recommendations include:
Professionalising the civil service through stringent competency standards
Introducing real-time digital transparency in procurement processes
Strengthening the role of community organisations and civil society as independent oversight bodies
The partnership between CW, SCAT, and TI focuses on building local capacity, developing advocacy tools such as the CRA, and promoting community-led accountability. SAAC also supports youth engagement through innovative digital reporting platforms aimed at exposing corruption and improving service delivery.
Ultimately, the report calls on provincial government to confront the deepening challenges faced by communities. It stresses that the practice of relying on procedural compliance while failing to deliver essential services—and undermining residents’ dignity—must come to an end.