Public perceptions of corruption and democratic dissatisfaction in South Africa’s third decade of democracy

Abstract

Deep-seated challenges concerning service delivery, mis-governance, corruption and state capture were uncovered by the Zondo Commission of inquiry. While the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment continued to persist as well, at the same time, disillusionment with democracy has led to citizens questioning its status as the preferred government form. In this study, the connection between corruption perceptions and the evaluation of democracy in South Africa’s third decade is explored. A quantitative methodology utilizing descriptive statistics and an analysis drawing from public opinion data accessed through the South African Social Attitudes Survey is adopted for this study. Key findings that emanate from the study indicate that the South African public is now more likely to recognize corruption as one of the top three problems that face South Africa. The results also indicate a growing preference for non-democratic, authoritarian governments. This has been characterized by low voter turnout in the local government elections of 2016 and 2021, and the national and provincial elections of 2019 and 2024. Erosion of public trust in democratic institutions—the government, courts and parliament—has fueled the delegitimization of democracy, with citizens showing growing wariness. Democracy has suffered from a decade of perceived unchecked corruption, a trend set to continue unless the state intervenes with anti-corruption measures, accountability initiatives and successful prosecutions of those accused of state capture and grand corruption.