South Africa: Preventing Corruption Beyond Criminal Convictions

In South Africa, the article argues that the nation possesses underutilised tools to prevent corruption proactively, rather than solely relying on the difficult and slow process of criminal convictions. The analysis highlights that while criminal prosecution is essential for upholding the rule of law, it is often a protracted and complex undertaking, frequently hampered by significant systemic challenges. These challenges include a substantial vacancy rate of nearly 50% within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and difficulties in retaining experienced forensic specialists. Furthermore, the article points to the prevalence of