"There is an alarming slump in public confidence in South Africa's leaders and its representative institutions - including Parliament," the institute said in a statement.
These findings emerged from an audit among 3500 people conducted by the institute. The study showed South Africa was at a critical point in its political history. "There is widespread concern being articulated about the 'hollowing
out' of government institutions," the statement said.
Systematic failure in service delivery, and the fall-out in the African National Congress leadership following the Polokwane National Conference have caused growing unease, the audit revealed.
Charles Villa-Vicencia, IJR's CEO, said these matters must be addressed urgently. "We face more than a crisis of governance. The present crisis strikes at the very root of our democracy. This lack of confidence in the highest organs of state shows how vital it is that action is taken
now," he said.
The institute said in a statement that leaders and decision-makers had to show commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability.
The audit's findings also showed that service delivery alone would not strengthen confidence and trust in South Africa's institutions of democratic governance.
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