Social Norms and Corruption in South Africa: The Struggle Beneath the Surface

Abstract

Despite extensive legal reforms and institutional oversight mechanisms, corruption remains a persistent challenge in South Africa.Conventional anti-corruption strategies tend to emphasise legal frameworks and economic deterrence, often overlooking the role of socialnorms that shape everyday behaviour. This article examines how socialised and informal expectations surrounding loyalty, reciprocity andsilence inform how corruption is interpreted and responded to in daily interactions. Drawing on the distinction between empirical andnormative expectations, the study argues that corruption frequently persists because individuals perceive participation as socially expectedor fear the social consequences of deviation. The study employs a vignette-based qualitative approach involving twelve purposively selectedparticipants. Respondents were presented with hypothetical scenarios reflecting common governance encounters, including policeroadblocks, procurement processes, nepotism in hiring, sextortion and small facilitation payments. This approach enabled participantsto evaluate situations indirectly, allowing for a more candid exploration of social expectations surrounding corruption. Thematic analysisrevealed several interrelated norms that shape behaviour. These include the stigma attached to reporting corruption, commonly framedthrough the label impimpi;1 codes of silence rooted in loyalty to family or social networks; admiration for visible wealth that normalisescorrupt enrichment; and the use of euphemistic language such as “cool drink” to soften the perception of bribery. The findings demonstratethat corruption is frequently sustained by social pressures rather than simply by individual opportunism. The article, therefore, argues thatanti-corruption strategies focusing solely on institutional reform are unlikely to achieve lasting change. Addressing corruption effectivelyrequires engaging with the social norms that structure everyday interactions. Policy responses should, therefore, complement legal reformswith interventions aimed at reshaping public narratives, strengthening ethical socialisation and promoting cultures of accountabilitywithin both institutions and communities.