Civic accountability dashboard · data current as of 08 Oct 2026

S.C.A.M.

Scorecard for Corruption & Accountability Monitoring

A public record of documented corruption-related legal matters involving members of South Africa's 18 parliamentary parties — 17 entries across 4 parties. Every entry is sourced, and you control the scoring.

Compare partiesHall of RecordsOpen dataCourt calendarAbout & methodologyFlag a case

About this data — presumption of innocence

Charged and accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. This tracks the status of public allegations and legal processes, not guilt. The dataset is small and curated, not exhaustive — parties under more media and prosecutorial scrutiny may show more cases for that reason alone. The initial set of cases was compiled in September 2026 with AI assistance, drawing on publicly reported court proceedings, National Prosecuting Authority statements, Zondo Commission findings, parliamentary ethics findings, Public Protector matters and mainstream South African news reporting; each case carries a named source and a "last verified" date. Public tips, right-of-reply responses and a monthly editor check of every case go into a review queue, and nothing is published or changed without a human editor approving it against a reliable source. Every change to case data appears in the public edit and corrections log. Data current as of 08 Oct 2026.

Only cases marked Convicted involve a court finding of guilt; all others are allegations, referrals or ongoing legal processes.

Where this data comes from

Sources:
Publicly reported court proceedings, National Prosecuting Authority statements, Zondo Commission findings, parliamentary ethics findings, Public Protector matters and mainstream South African news reporting.
First compiled:
September 2026, with AI assistance. Each case carries a named source.
Updated:
public tips, right-of-reply responses and a monthly editor check of every case — all reviewed and approved by a human editor before anything changes.
Coverage
In October 2026 every one of the 18 parliamentary parties was searched using the same criteria: current MPs, ministers, deputy ministers, premiers and national office-bearers (and former ones where the conduct happened while they represented the party); criminal charges, convictions, and findings or referrals by the NPA, SIU, Public Protector, commissions, and parliamentary or provincial ethics bodies, since 2019. Each result is checked by an editor against its sources before it is published. Parties with no published matters were searched with the same effort.

Read our editorial standards

Anyone named can give their side using the button on each case. Verified responses are published next to the case.

Data current as of 08 Oct 2026.

Last updated 8 October 2026 · see updates

Highest per-seat scores

1st

uMkhonto weSizwe Party

Per 10 seats
2.41
Raw score
14.0

5 cases · 58 seats · Severity 80%

Party page →
2nd

African National Congress

Per 10 seats
1.57
Raw score
25.0

10 cases · 159 seats · Severity 50%

Party page →
3rd

Economic Freedom Fighters

Per 10 seats
0.51
Raw score
2.0

1 case · 39 seats · Severity 0%

Party page →

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Scoring weights

A party's score is the sum of its cases' weights. Drag to change how much each status counts — the leaderboard re-ranks instantly. Resolved cases score 0 by default. Pending complaints have no slider: they are never scored. Listed for transparency. Not scored until an investigating body opens an investigation or makes a finding.

Only cases marked Convicted involve a court finding of guilt; all others are allegations, referrals or ongoing legal processes.

Parties ranked by recorded matters per 10 seats

How is this calculated?

The default view is the per-seat score: a party's weighted score divided by its seats, times ten. Only parties with a score above 0 get a rank number; the rest are listed below, unranked and alphabetically.

The Composite index (0–100) is one optional way to combine size, severity and recency. Higher = more or more serious recorded matters. It does not measure a party's integrity. Its three parts are each scaled so the highest party scores 100:

  • Size-adjusted score (50%) — the weighted score per 10 seats. Parties under 10 seats are counted as 10 seats so one case in a tiny party can't dwarf everyone else.
  • Case severity (30%) — how much of the party's score comes from convictions and criminal charges rather than accusations.
  • Recency (20%) — recent cases count more: this year 1.0, last year 0.85, two years ago 0.70, older 0.50.

It updates live as you move the weight sliders.

Severity % is simply convicted + charged matters as a share of all scored matters. Named people per 10 seats counts distinct people with an open, scored matter for every 10 seats — named people need not be current MPs.

Complaints by political rivals or members of the public are shown as Pending and are not scored until an official body (NPA, SIU, Public Protector, a commission, or Parliament's ethics committee) has opened an investigation or made a finding. This rule applies to every party.

Parties with no scored matters score 0 — reflecting absence of reporting, not a clean bill of health.

ConvictedChargedImplicatedAccusedResolvedPending

Raw score grows with party size — the per-seat score and the Composite index compare parties more fairly.

Per-seat score is a party's score divided by its seats, times ten — so a 9-seat party and a 159-seat party can be read side by side.

  • Open ANC page & share link →

    Trend appears after the first monthly snapshot, from November 2026.

    Vincent Smith

    Former ANC MP and former chair of Parliament's correctional services committee

    Convicted+4.0

    Sentenced in the Johannesburg High Court on 5 March 2026 to an effective seven years' imprisonment after a plea and sentence agreement. He pleaded guilty to corruption, fraud, money laundering and a tax offence relating to gratification from Bosasa.

    Counted under the ANC because the conduct took place while he was an ANC MP.

    Their side

    Public statement

    He pleaded guilty as part of a plea and sentence agreement.

    Court record, reported by EWN · View statement

    Case history (1 update)

    1. 2026-10-08 · Convicted

      Added after the October 2026 coverage sweep

    2009–2018 conduct; sentenced March 2026Source: EWN and TimesLIVE, 5 March 2026Last verified: 08 Oct 2026View edit history
    Named in this case? Give your side

    Jacob Zuma

    Former ANC President and former President of South Africa; now leads the MK Party

    Charged+3.0

    Faces 16 counts of fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering relating to the 1999 arms deal, alongside French arms firm Thales. First charged in 2005; charges were withdrawn in 2009 and reinstated in 2018. He has pleaded not guilty. In May 2026 the Pietermaritzburg High Court ordered the trial to start on 1 February 2027.

    Counted under the ANC because the alleged conduct (1995–2005) took place while he was an ANC leader, before the MK Party existed. He has said he will seek leave to appeal the trial-date ruling.

    Their side

    Public statement

    Zuma has pleaded not guilty and maintains the prosecution is politically motivated.

    Public statements, widely reported

    Case history (2 updates)

    1. 2005 · Charged

      Charged over the 1999 arms deal.

    2. May 2026 · Charged

      Court ruled the trial must proceed; set to begin 1 Feb 2027.

    2018–2026 (first charged 2005)Source: KZN High Court ruling via eNCA; EWN, May 2026Last verified: 08 Oct 2026View edit history
    Named in this case? Give your side

    Malusi Gigaba

    Former Minister

    Charged+3.0

    Charged in November 2025 with corruption relating to Transnet locomotive contracts. The state alleges he received cash payments from members of the Gupta family between 2010 and 2014, while he was Public Enterprises Minister. The Zondo Commission (Part 2, 2022) had earlier recommended he be investigated. The case is in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg; the trial has not started.

    Co-accused include former Transnet executives. He stepped aside from ANC duties after being charged. Next court date reported as 23 October 2026.

    Their side

    Public statement19 Nov 2025

    Gigaba has said he has not been shown evidence of wrongdoing and that he will cooperate with the legal process.

    Public statement, reported by TimesLIVE · View statement

    Case history (1 update)

    1. 2022 · Implicated

      Named in the Zondo Commission report. No charges since.

    2022–2026Source: NPA statement, Jan 2026; TimesLIVE, Nov 2025; The Citizen, Jul 2026Last verified: 08 Oct 2026View edit history
    Named in this case? Give your side

    Ace Magashule

    Former Free State Premier & ANC Secretary-General; expelled from the ANC in 2023

    Charged+3.0

    Charged in 2020 with fraud, corruption and money laundering relating to a R255m asbestos-roof tender awarded in 2014 by the Free State human settlements department. The accused have pleaded not guilty. The Free State High Court trial has been repeatedly delayed by preliminary challenges.

    Counted under the ANC because the alleged conduct took place while he was an ANC leader. He is no longer an ANC member.

    Their side

    Public statement05 Jun 2025

    Magashule has said the State is delaying the trial and that he is ready to defend himself in court.

    Public statement to EWN · View statement

    Case history (2 updates)

    1. 2021 · Charged

      Charged in the Free State asbestos-removal tender case.

    2. 2026 · Charged

      Trial resumed; matter still before court, no verdict.

    2020–2026Source: EWN, Jan 2026; allAfrica, Feb 2026Last verified: 08 Oct 2026View edit history
    Named in this case? Give your side

    Thabang Makwetla

    Former Deputy Minister (Justice and Correctional Services; Defence)

    Charged+3.0

    Charged at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court with corruption and fraud. The state alleges a security upgrade worth about R350,000 at his home in 2015 was paid for by Bosasa and not disclosed. He was granted bail.

    Counted under the ANC because the alleged conduct took place while he was an ANC deputy minister.

    Their side

    Public statement

    He told the Zondo Commission in 2021 that he had done nothing wrong.

    Testimony at the Zondo Commission, reported in 2021

    Case history (1 update)

    1. 2026-10-08 · Charged

      Added after the October 2026 coverage sweep

    2015 alleged; charged October 2025Source: NPA statement; Daily News, October 2025Last verified: 08 Oct 2026View edit history
    Named in this case? Give your side

    Gwede Mantashe

    Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, ANC National Chair

    Implicated+2.0

    The Zondo Commission (Part 3) found Bosasa paid for security installations at his homes in Boksburg, Cala and Khowa, found a reasonable suspicion that he accepted them knowing they were meant to gain influence, and referred him for investigation under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. No charges filed.

    The commission said further investigation could reasonably uncover a prima facie case and referred the matter for investigation. No charges have been brought.

    Their side

    Public statement02 Mar 2022

    Mantashe has said he did not know Bosasa paid for security installations at his homes, and said he would take the report on legal review.

    Public statements, reported by Daily Maverick · View statement

    Case history (1 update)

    1. 2022 · Implicated

      Named in the Zondo Commission report, which recommended further investigation.

    2022Source: Zondo Commission Report Part 3 (Bosasa); Sowetan, Mar 2022Last verified: 08 Oct 2026View edit history
    Named in this case? Give your side

    Nomvula Mokonyane

    Former Minister, ANC First Deputy Secretary-General

    Implicated+2.0

    The Zondo Commission (Part 3) found she received benefits from Bosasa, including monthly cash payments, found that Bosasa made extensive attempts to influence her, rejected her denials as not credible, and referred the matter for investigation and prosecution for corruption. No charges filed.

    The commission referred the matter for investigation and prosecution. No charges have been brought to date.

    Their side

    Public statement02 Mar 2022

    Mokonyane has denied all allegations against her and said she was considering legal action against the report.

    Public statements, reported by DispatchLIVE · View statement

    Case history (1 update)

    1. 2022 · Implicated

      Named in the Zondo Commission report, which recommended prosecution. No charges since.

    2022Source: Zondo Commission Report Part 3 (Bosasa); Polity, Mar 2022Last verified: 08 Oct 2026View edit history
    Named in this case? Give your side

    Zizi Kodwa

    Former Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture

    Implicated+2.0

    The Zondo Commission (Part 4, April 2022) recommended he be investigated over payments and luxury accommodation, worth more than R1.6m, from former EOH executive Jehan Mackay, linked to contracts awarded to EOH. He was charged in 2024; the charges were withdrawn in November 2024. In January 2026 the NPA decided to reinstate them (made public in March 2026). Mackay has asked the High Court to review that decision, and the matter has not yet been re-enrolled in court.

    Shown as "implicated" until the reinstated charges are enrolled in court.

    Their side

    Public statement16 Mar 2026

    Kodwa has denied corruption and, through his lawyer, said he is ready to prove his innocence in court.

    Public statement via his lawyer, reported by EWN · View statement

    Case history (3 updates)

    1. 2024 · Charged

      Charged with corruption over alleged EOH-linked payments.

    2. Nov 2024 · Resolved

      Charges withdrawn by the NPA.

    3. Jan–Mar 2026 · Charged

      Charges reinstated by the NPA.

    2024–2026Source: Zondo Commission referral; EWN, Mar 2026; Daily Sun, Apr 2026Last verified: 08 Oct 2026View edit history
    Named in this case? Give your side

    David Mahlobo

    Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation; former State Security Minister

    Implicated+2.0

    The Zondo Commission (final report, June 2022) found he involved himself in operational matters at the State Security Agency and that large amounts of cash were moved under his watch, and recommended further investigation. No charges filed.

    The commission recommended further investigation. No charges have been brought to date.

    Their side

    Public statement01 Apr 2021

    Mahlobo denied the allegations at the commission.

    Testimony at the Zondo Commission, reported by Corruption Watch · View statement

    Case history (1 update)

    1. 2022 · Implicated

      Named in the Zondo Commission report. No charges since.

    2022Source: Zondo Commission final report (State Security Agency); Daily Maverick, Jun 2022Last verified: 08 Oct 2026View edit history
    Named in this case? Give your side

    Sisisi Tolashe

    Former Minister of Social Development; ANC MP

    Accused+1.0

    Daily Maverick reported in April 2026 that two vehicles donated to the ANC Women's League were registered to her adult children and not declared. The DA and ActionSA laid complaints. She was removed as minister in May 2026. No official finding has been made.

    Shown as "accused": based on investigative reporting, with no official finding yet.

    Their side

    Public statement

    She calls the allegations a smear and says the vehicles were held on behalf of the ANC Women's League.

    Public statement, reported by Mail & Guardian · View statement

    Case history (1 update)

    1. 2026-10-08 · Accused

      Added after the October 2026 coverage sweep

    2025–2026Source: Daily Maverick, April 2026; EWN, April 2026; Mail & Guardian, May 2026Last verified: 08 Oct 2026View edit history
    Named in this case? Give your side

No matters recorded in the sources reviewed

This reflects what has been publicly reported and verified — it is not a clean bill of health.

Court calendar — upcoming dates

Known next court dates for tracked individuals. Dates move often; a scheduled hearing is not a finding.

  1. Malusi Gigaba

    23 October 2026

    Transnet locomotive corruption case, Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg)

    Postponement date as reported by The Citizen, Jul 2026; trial expected 2027

  2. Brian Molefe

    23 October 2026

    Transnet locomotive case (co-accused with Gigaba), Gauteng High Court

    Postponement date as reported by The Citizen, Jul 2026

  3. Siyabonga Gama

    23 October 2026

    Transnet locomotive case (co-accused with Gigaba), Gauteng High Court

    Postponement date as reported by The Citizen, Jul 2026

  4. Jacob Zuma

    1 February 2027

    Arms deal fraud and corruption trial (counted under the ANC; he now leads MK)

    Scheduled to begin

  5. Ace Magashule

    Date TBC

    Free State asbestos tender case — trial delayed by preliminary challenges

    Next date TBC

  6. Zizi Kodwa

    Date TBC

    NPA decided to reinstate withdrawn charges; not yet re-enrolled, and the decision is under High Court review

    No court date set

Last updated 8 October 2026

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Methodology

  • Convicted — default 4 pts per case (currently 4).
  • Currently criminally charged — default 3 pts per case (currently 3).
  • Implicated by commission / ethics body — default 2 pts per case (currently 2).
  • Accused / under investigation — default 1 pts per case (currently 1).
  • Resolved / cleared (acquitted, charges dropped) — default 0 pts per case (currently 0).
  • Complaint lodged — no official action yet — never scored.

A party's score is the sum of its cases' weights. Cases that are later resolved — acquitted or charges dropped — stay visible for the record but carry no points. The per-seat figure normalises for party size. Non-corruption matters are shown as context only and never scored.

Complaints by political rivals or members of the public are shown as Pending and are not scored until an official body (NPA, SIU, Public Protector, a commission, or Parliament's ethics committee) has opened an investigation or made a finding. This rule applies to every party.

A matter is counted under the party the person represented at the time of the alleged conduct. If they did not represent any party at the time (for example, they were a state-owned-company executive or a private contractor), it is counted under the party they represent now. The rule applies to every party.