PODCAST | The Lead: Adriaan Basson names SA&#x2019s dirtiest politician

Aug 21, 2025 Politics & Conflicts views: 132

Could this be South Africa’s dirtiest politician? Now elevated to a key mayoral committee position in the decaying City of Johannesburg,we ask: how did Sithembiso Zungu,despite dogged claims he’s embroiled in the “Construction Mafia”,rise so quickly in the ANC?

Supplied | Overlay Graphic: Sharlene Rood,Graeme Raubenheimer/News24

It’s a critical position in the now crumbling City of Johannesburg: a mayoral committee member for group corporate and shared services.

It may sound a bit vague.

But in this seat,you’re responsible for finance management,the city’s IT infrastructure,and supply chain processes.

And it’s now occupied by one,Mr Sithembiso Zungu.

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He’s an ANC politician who has anything but quietly climbed the political ranks,as allegations of his running of a local construction cartel have followed him for years,enough to attract a Hawks investigation.

Zungu may well be Mzansi’s dirtiest politician,argues News24 editor-in-chief,Adriaan Basson,who joins us in Tuesday’s edition of The Lead.


Finally,show host Graeme Raubenheimer ends with a new segment: “On This Day in History”,courtesy SA History Online.

You can send Graeme a short voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to our official The Lead WhatsApp line,that’s: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to [email protected]. Editions drop on Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify,Apple and YouTube.

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