Sex as bribes: public protector demands sextortion be treated as corruption

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka is urging South Africa to treat sextortion as a corruption offense, despite the law already existing. Speaking at the University of Stellenbosch Symposium on Gender Inequality and Anti-Corruption, Gcaleka argued that the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act does not mandate a monetary value for the gratification in corruption cases. She emphasized that the absence of charges, prosecution, records, and counts point to a lack of enforcement rather than a legislative gap.

According to a 2025 Presidency-commissioned study, 15% of South Africans have experienced sexual corruption, with women and young adults disproportionately affected. The same research documented officials demanding sex in exchange for services or benefits, confirming patterns of power-based exploitation. Survivors of sextortion reported severe consequences such as trauma, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, and stigma.

Gcaleka proposed that reporting channels for sexual extortion should exclude the offices of alleged perpetrators to minimize interference and protect complainants. The issue also affects men, with private investigator Brad Nathanson revealing that brothel visitors are targeted after visits under the pretext of resolving fees, leading to victims losing substantial amounts of money. Nathanson warned that corrupt law enforcement contacts are used to trace victims and threaten them with exposure to family and employers.