Moral decay, government, and looting in South Africa during COVID-19.

Abstract

Morally, South Africa is rapidly spiralling out of control, and the future is gloomy unless severe measures are taken to reverse this trend. South Africa's moral wrongness is likely best summed up by unsettling pathologies such as indiscipline, violence, rape, assault, fraud, and a refusal to assume personal responsibility for high levels of crime, corruption, xenophobic attacks, gender-based violence, and family disintegration. Recently, South Africa has experienced major looting, which began during protests and unrest in some of the country’s parts. They are unable to distinguish between what is basically incorrect and what is fundamentally correct. The nation's conscience has become deafeningly silent, or at best, ambiguous. Through qualitative research method and using secondary data, this study aims to discuss the existing challenges in South Africa that have influenced moral decay. It also highlights underlying issues that triggered looting that was instigated by individuals who have been having challenges that have not been addressed. The looting, which was fuelled by protests, happened during COVID-19 national lockdown level 4. This study concludes that non-service delivery, corruption, and negligence, among others, have been the roots of moral decay in South Africa, and the situation will continue to worsen if such challenges within government are not urgently dealt with.