South Africa Gets a Pass on Rampant Corruption

Why is a leading global watchdog turning a blind eye?

Mbuyiseli Madlanga, looking down, sits and listens to testimony. November 20, 2025, 10:12 AM Comment icon View Comments ( )

Corruption has a long and sordid history in South Africa, but don’t look to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to help fight it. In late October, the world’s leading intergovernmental anti-money laundering watchdog removed South Africa from its “ gray list ” of countries subject to increased monitoring. The decision raises major concerns at a time when South Africa, which will host the G-20 summit this weekend, is embroiled in a sweeping corruption scandal implicating leaders at the highest levels of government and involving dozens of politically mot

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