By Thapelo Molefe
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has warned that corruption poses a grave threat not only to governance and democracy but also to the environment, economic development, and the very survival of communities.
Speaking at the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) Ministerial Meeting held at the Kruger National Park in Skukuza on Thursday, Kubayi said corruption erodes trust in public institutions, weakens justice systems, and fuels poverty and inequality.
“If corruption is allowed to take root in society, a wonderful and biodiverse park like Kruger National Park is not safe,” Kubayi cautioned.
“Corruption enables criminal groups to smuggle illicit drugs, weapons, wildlife, or even people across borders while evading law enforcement.”
She said corruption undermines governance structures and allows organised criminal groups to infiltrate public administration, destabilising countries and threatening public order and security.
Kubayi also linked corruption to environmental destruction, saying that it contributes to the loss of natural resources and degradation of ecosystems that sustain local communities.
“Corruption not only facilitates transnational organised crime but also enables environmental degradation and deepens inequality. It undermines human rights, justice, and social cohesion,” she said.
The minister emphasised the need for stronger global collaboration in tackling corruption, stressing that it is a cross-border crime that requires joint action among nations.
“Our participation in this gathering demonstrates the need to strengthen cooperation to fight corruption,” she said.
“We must increase the efficiency of asset recovery and use innovative and flexible methods to recover stolen assets.”
Kubayi acknowledged that many countries still face significant challenges in tracing and recovering illicit funds due to complex legal systems and limited capacity for mutual legal assistance.
“These challenges can lead to delays or unresponsiveness between requesting and requested states. Through close collaboration, these hurdles can be overcome,” she said.
Kubayi highlighted the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology in corruption-related crimes, warning that technological manipulation is becoming a tool for deception and fraud.
“Through deepfakes, generative AI has become a powerful tool for malicious impersonation,” she explained.
“It enables scammers to generate convincing text, audio, and video, leading to sophisticated attacks that are difficult to detect.”
To address this, Kubayi urged countries to integrate emerging technologies into anti-corruption strategies to strengthen detection and prevention mechanisms.
The minister also underscored the importance of protecting those who expose corruption, saying whistleblower protection is “paramount” for building transparency and accountability.
“It is only by encouraging those with information to come forward that we can dismantle complex corruption networks,” she said.
Kubayi further noted that South Africa, alongside 71 other nations, recently signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi, Vietnam. The treaty aims to enhance international cooperation in investigating and prosecuting cyber-related crimes, including corruption.
“This convention establishes a comprehensive framework for mutual legal assistance, harmonisation, and capacity-building,” she said.
“It is a pivotal milestone in strengthening the fight against corruption and other transnational crimes.”
Closing her address, Kubayi urged global leaders to maintain vigilance and unity in combating corruption, warning that inaction could endanger future generations.
“The future of our children and the survival of parks such as the Kruger National Park depend on what we do today. Corruption is not a victimless crime,” she said.
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