South Africa faces a significant ethical crisis with leadership prone to fraud, corruption, poor governance and a lack of accountability. Evidence of this is the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index [1], which revealed SA scored 41 points out of 100.
Results were released parallel with observing Global Ethics Day on 15 October. The theme for this year is Ethics Re-envisioned, which highlights principles that underpin just, accountable, and transparent societies.
Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane, chief executive officer of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), laments the negative impact of unethical leadership and practices damaging South Africa’s reputation globally.
She pointed out that the score of 41/100 reflects a sector still battling unethical procurement, favouritism, and intimidation of whistleblowers – all of which compromise safety, waste resources, and damage confidence in public institutions.
Phayane-Shakhane said corruption in the civil engineering and construction sector continues to undermine infrastructure delivery and public trust.
“Unethical procurement practices have devastating ripple effects on the economy and society. In the public sector, such practices often result in the misallocation of funds intended for critical infrastructure such as roads, water systems, and housing. In the private sector, they distort fair competition and erode the integrity of the market,” she said.
Phayane-Shakhane warned that unethical practices are far-reaching and deny citizens access to reliable, safe, and affordable infrastructure.
“We believe that ethics must be embedded into the DNA of engineering practice as a lived experience.
“By fostering critical thinking and ethical reflection in every stage of professional development, we ensure that South African civil engineers remain globally respected and trusted custodians of public welfare.”
“Beyond the financial and technical implications, corruption also damages the moral fabric of our profession, discouraging ethical engineers who strive to uphold their duty to the public. At SAICE, we continue to advocate for integrity-driven leadership within both the public and private sectors to restore confidence in infrastructure delivery,” said Phayane-Shakhane.
She pointed out that another challenge lies in the culture of silence that often prevails within the industry.
“Many professionals, particularly younger engineers and small contractors, feel powerless to challenge unethical directives or report malpractice due to fear of intimidation, blacklisting, or professional isolation.”
