Amnesty International has sounded the alarm over what it describes as a worsening crisis of corruption, crime and weak accountability in South Africa, urging government to take decisive action as President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver the State of the Nation Address on Thursday evening.
The rights group says public confidence in law enforcement and the justice system has eroded significantly, pointing to persistent allegations of misconduct and slow progress in tackling high-level corruption.
Amnesty highlighted recent claims raised at the Madlanga Commission, arguing that they underscore systemic weaknesses and a lack of accountability within key institutions.
Nearly four years after the release of the State Capture Commission’s findings, the organisation says many of its recommendations remain unfulfilled. It noted that prosecutions have been limited and reforms sluggish, raising concerns about government’s commitment to rooting out corruption.
According to Amnesty, these shortcomings are having broader social consequences. The group says failures within the justice system are contributing to the country’s ongoing gender-based violence crisis, while whistleblowers and human rights defenders continue to face intimidation and threats.
With the nation looking to the President’s address for direction, Amnesty has called for urgent, concrete measures to strengthen institutions, fast-track prosecutions and restore public trust.
The organisation warned that without meaningful accountability, promises of reform risk becoming little more than words and for many South Africans, patience is already wearing thin.