By Kotie Geldenhuys
"Our hope for the future depends on our resolution as a nation in dealing with the scourge of corruption. Success will require an acceptance that, in many respects, we are a sick society. It is perfectly correct to assert that all this was spawned by apartheid. No amount of self-induced amnesia will change the reality of history. But it is also a reality of the present that among the new cadres in various levels of government you will find individuals who are as corrupt - if not more - than those they find in government.
When a leader in a provincial legislature siphons off resources meant to fund service by legislators to the people; when employees of a government institution set up to help empower those who were excluded by apartheid defraud it for their own enrichment, then we must admit that we are a sick society. This problem manifests itself in all areas of life. More often than not, it is businesspeople who launder funds to curry favour with public servants; it is ordinary citizens who seek to buy themselves out of trouble; it is strange religious leaders who sing praises to criminals or hoard land acquired by the foul means of apartheid. All of us must work together for our redemption." - Mr Nelson Mandela during the State of the Nation Address delivered on 5 February 1999 (South African Government, 1999).
More than 20 years ago, the late former President of South Africa, Mr Mandela raised his concerns about corruption in all levels of government. But this great leader's words were neither taken seriously nor did they make an impact on public servants and political leaders. Through the years corruption increased and started to spiral out of control on local, provincial and national level. For this article our focus will be on corruption within local government (municipalities) - the structures that are supposed to render services to people within their communities, but often fail to do so due to corruption within the municipality.
Municipalities are legally constituted, community-based state entities driven by the noble principles of the country's constitution, laws, rules and regulations which are the closest to the people. These principles are aimed at securing fundamental human rights. But when the political and/or administrative leadership overlaps in a municipality, "there can be no expectation of organisational honesty, integrity, ethical behaviour and accountability". The moment corruption gets a foothold in municipalities, these noble principles are forgotten. Organisational systems are subverted from the top. When leaders do not act ethically or lack the efficiency to implement decisions taken, corruption filters down to middle management and then to the lowest echelons in the organisation (Pillay, 2016).
Poverty or greed?
Several factors might contribute towards corruption in municipalities, including poverty and greed. In his doctoral study, Dr Mike Basopu stated that officials who receive lower wages which are insufficient to provide for their basic necessities, often become corrupt and "try something like embezzling money that may be entrusted to them in the supply chain management section or treasury" (Basopu, 2016). But considering some local government officials' salaries, it is clear that some become involved in corrupt activities due to greed. It was reported in November 2022 that executive mayors or mayors' annual salaries range between R806 059 and R1 446 388 and deputy executive mayors or deputy mayors' annual salaries range between R650 986 and R1 168 388. That excludes benefits such as vehicle and travel allowances, out-of-pocket expenses and cellphone allowances (Nkanjeni, 2022). One only has to recall the case of the former eThekwini Municipality mayor, Zandile Gumede who was arrested by the Hawks's National Clean Audit Task Team. Along with 21 other suspects, who include Councillor Mondli Mthembu and businessman Craig Ponnan, they have been charged with corruption involving a R208 million Durban Solid Waste tender. During a media briefing held by the national Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in August 2022, Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya remarked: "They were subsequently charged with fraud, corruption, a pattern of racketeering activity in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA) as well as contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003." The case went on trial on 22 August 2022 in the Durban High Court. Considering their salaries, the main reason behind Zandile Gumede's involvement in this corruption case could be nothing but greed.
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[This is only an extract of an article that is published in Servamus: March 2023. The rest of the article explores forms of corruption in municipalities; public protests as a result of corruption in municipalities; possible solutions; investigation of corruption within municipalities and prosecuting cases involving corruption within municipalities. If you are interested in reading more, send an e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or a WhatsApp to: 078 712 1745 to find out what you have to do. Ed.]