The Role of Corruption in the Saab/South Africa Arms Deal

: A Qualitative Case Study

Abstract

The African National Congress (ANC) rose to power promising a new era of democracy, transparency, and justice. Yet by 1999, the signing of a major arms deal with Swedish and British defence companies marked a turning point in South Africa’s democratic trajectory. What was presented as a step toward military modernization soon became a symbol of elite corruption and the erosion of public trust. This thesis examines the Saab arms deal through a qualitative case study, investigating how allegations of corruption within this transaction contributed to democratic erosion and state capture in post-apartheid South Africa. Drawing on theories of neutralization and elite criminality, my paper explores how certain individuals rationalized their conduct, evaded accountability, and manipulated public institutions. The data for this study was obtained from open sources, including news websites from South Africa and Sweden, online platforms like Transparency International, and relevant research articles, all related to the subject of corruption. The analysis draws on secondary sources, including academic literature, media coverage, and documents related to corruption case in South Africa. The result of my study highlights how the defence sector in South Africa was exploited by a criminal elite to serve private and political interests, which offer insight into how democracy can be undermined by those entrusted to uphold it.

Tilldelningsdatum	2025-juni
Originalspråk	Engelska
Handledare	Joakim Thelander (Handledare) & Sophia Yakhlef (Examinator)