Government Sharpens Crackdown on Corruption and Illegal Immigration as Ramaphosa Pushes for a Capable State

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is intensifying its fight against corruption, illegal immigration, weak municipal performance and the water crisis as part of a wider effort to rebuild public trust and strengthen the capacity of the state. Speaking during The Presidency Budget Vote in Parliament on 2 June 2026, Ramaphosa said government is continuing to rebuild law enforcement agencies, security services, the National Prosecuting Authority and specialised anti-corruption bodies so that criminality, organised crime and abuse of public resources can be dealt with more effectively. He said government is awaiting the final report of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, chaired by Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, which is expected to guide further reforms within the South African Police Service and the wider criminal justice system. According to the President, a special task team established by SAPS and the NPA after the commission's first interim report has already started bringing cases before the courts, signalling that the state is moving from investigation to prosecution. Ramaphosa also used the address to draw a firm line against corruption, saying public office must be treated as a public trust and that those who abuse public resources for private gain weaken development and "steal from the poor". He said there would be no tolerance for corruption regardless of position, status or political affiliation. Government has reported progress in implementing the recommendations of the State Capture Commission, with 80% of the 60 actions in its implementation plan either completed, substantially completed or on track. Recoveries linked to state capture investigations have now exceeded R17 billion, while 10 new laws have been enacted to close weaknesses exposed during the state capture era, including reforms aimed at public procurement, professionalising the public service and improving intelligence oversight. Government has also approved a draft amendment to the Protected Disclosures Act for public comment, with Ramaphosa describing stronger whistleblower protection as a vital pillar in the fight against corruption. On illegal immigration, the President acknowledged growing public concern about the impact of unlawful migration on public services, employment opportunities and community stability. He said government is cracking down on violations of immigration laws while working to ensure that enforcement is carried out lawfully and responsibly. The broader message from the Budget Vote was that the fight against corruption and illegal immigration cannot be separated from the need to fix institutions, protect public money, strengthen policing, restore confidence in municipalities and improve service delivery. Ramaphosa also highlighted government's response to gender-based violence and femicide, which was classified as a national disaster in November last year, with Cabinet approving an action plan and resources to tackle the crisis. Together, these interventions present a government attempting to reset the relationship between citizens and the state: one where public institutions are expected to be cleaner, stronger, more accountable and better able to protect communities from crime, corruption, instability and poor governance.