Challenge:

State capture in South Africa, as exposed by the Zondo Commission, revealed a deeply entrenched system where public funds were systematically diverted into private hands through an orchestrated and deliberate network of corruption. The Commission highlighted that these corrupt acts weren’t isolated but part of a broader, organised project that undermined democratic governance.

Despite increased awareness, corruption continues to evolve, becoming more diffuse and complex, often linked to organised crime syndicates. These shifting forms of corruption make it harder to detect and address, posing a growing threat to South Africa’s institutions and democracy.

Action:

In response, we are collaborating with the Anti-Corruption Coalition (ACC), based at GIBS, to produce practical, evidence-based research to support government and civil society efforts in tackling state capture and corruption.

The partnership focuses on:

• Collecting and analysing data to map out connections between corruption incidents, identifying systemic patterns and key actors involved in state capture.

• Developing a comprehensive database on corruption-related activities to provide actionable insights.

• Engaging with civil society stakeholders to ensure research informs real-world strategies against corruption.

By synthesising data from multiple sources, the NSI and ACC aim to create a clearer picture of how state capture occurred and to support efforts in preventing its recurrence.

Impact:

The NSI’s work with the ACC contributes to building stronger anti-corruption frameworks in South Africa by providing critical research that informs policy and supports civil society interventions. The project aims to empower stakeholders with the knowledge needed to dismantle existing corrupt networks and safeguard South Africa’s democratic institutions from future capture.