President Cyril Ramaphosa says officials who betray the public trust by stealing from the state will face the consequences.
Image: Phando Jikelo / RSA Parliament
President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a stern warning to corrupt public servants saying that their days are numbered, and there will be no tolerance for officials who abuse public resources for personal gain, regardless of their rank or political affiliation.
He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon during the Presidency's Budget Vote in Parliament.
Ramaphosa was speaking about the government's efforts to fight rampant crime and corruption across all spheres of government.
He said that during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) earlier this year, he also identified the need to fight crime and corruption.
“We continue to rebuild and strengthen our law enforcement agencies, the security services, the national prosecuting authority and specialised anti-corruption bodies.”
He said a critical area of focus is the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“We look forward to receiving the final report of the commission of enquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system, which is chaired by Judge Mbuyiseli Madanga.”
The commission resumed its public hearings on Monday after a two-week recess to prepare its second interim report.
Ramaphosa received the commission’s second interim report on Friday, May 29, 2026, and is studying its findings while the inquiry continues its public hearings.
The Madlanga Commission was established by Ramaphosa in July 2025 after no-nonsense KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi lifted the lid on alleged corruption, political interference and the shielding of criminal networks within the police service.
He accused the now suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of colluding with criminally accused figures.
He also criticised Mchunu for issuing a letter disbanding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), which investigates politically motivated killings.
Mchunu has since been suspended and replaced by Professor Firoz Cachalia.
Ramaphosa said the findings and recommendations of the commission are expected to bolster efforts to strengthen the South African Police Service.
“The work of the commission is already having an impact.
“Following the submission of the commission's first interim report in December of last year, the South African police service, working with the national prosecuting authority, set up a special task team to investigate referrals arising from the commission.
“Now this task team has begun its work in earnest and has already brought a number of cases to court following a number of arrests.”
“We must be unequivocal. Public office is a public trust. Those who abuse public resources for private gain betray our constitution. They undermine development and steal from the poor in our country.”
“There will be no tolerance for corruption, regardless of position, status or political affiliation,” he told MPs.
Ramaphosa said the Presidency continues to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the recommendations of the State Capture Commission.
“Out of the six convictions contained in our implementation plan which we presented to parliament, 80 percent are complete, substantially complete work on track.
“The recoveries by law enforcement agencies linked to the work of the commission now stand at over R17 billion of money that has been recovered from those who gave illegally.”
He said 10 new Acts have been passed to close the gaps identified by the State Capture Commission.
“These include acts to enable prosecution and investigation of corruption, reform of public procurement system, the professionalisation of public administration and the overhaul of our intelligence services.
“Parliament recently approved for public comment a draft bill to amend the protected disclosures act. This bill aims to strengthen the protection of whistleblowers and is a vital pillar of our fight against corruption.”
He said the Presidency is at the forefront of mobilising South Africans from all walks of life behind the national effort to end gender-based violence against women and girls.
“It exercises stewardship over the implementation of the national strategic plan to combat gender-based violence and genocide.”
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa, who also serves as ANC president, recently dismissed one of his party colleagues and Cabinet ministers.
Ramaphosa dismissed Sisisi Tolashe as the minister of Social Development following allegations linked to the receipt of luxury vehicles from Chinese officials intended for the ANC Women's League.
Tolashe has been accused of allegedly misleading Parliament regarding two vehicles reportedly donated by Chinese representatives. She is also facing allegations relating to irregular appointments and contract extensions during her tenure.
Further claims involve two BAIC Beijing X55 SUVs, reportedly valued at between R400,000 and R500,000 each, which were allegedly registered in the names of her adult children after being received in late 2023.
Additional allegations against Tolashe include the extension of a director-general's contract, the appointment of a 22-year-old acting chief of staff, and claims that a state-funded food aide worked at her private residence in the Eastern Cape rather than at official government residences.
However, Tolashe has rubbished all the allegations levelled against her.
Both ActionSA and the DA have opened criminal cases and approached Parliament's portfolio committee seeking further investigation into allegations of maladministration.
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