The irony of law and faith in corruption

The irony of law and faith in corruption

Norless Zibele Nodangala & Zimkhitha Ngqeleni

Issue: Vol. 12 No.8 2026 Issue Article 4 pp. 376 – 384
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20261284 Published online 28th September 2026.
© 2026 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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ABSTRACT

This study examined the pervasive issue of corruption within secular and religious institutions, aiming to understand how these systems, which ought to uphold justice and virtue, can be manipulated for selfish interests. The study used a doctrinal approach to review the literature and explore the motivations behind corruption in both legal and faith-based organisations. The findings reveal a significant disconnect between the ideals of law and faith-based actions, a total dichotomy from societal norms and natural justice. Additionally, legal loopholes are frequently exploited, allowing unethical behaviour to thrive, while religious leaders sometimes misuse their authority, betraying the trust of their congregations. Corruption erodes public trust in institutions designed to serve society, confidence, and the willingness to question. This growing disillusionment can lead to apathy toward civic responsibilities, diminished participation in democratic processes, and a culture of cynicism that undermines social cohesion and stability. Furthermore, the paper highlighted the need for reforms focused on ethical leadership to restore integrity. The study recommends fostering a culture of accountability to bridge the gap between the principles of law and faith and their applications. Contributions of this study to scholarship include innovative mechanisms to eradicate corruption in both secular and religious contexts, strengthened oversight, the implementation of educational reforms that promote trust and accountability, and the reestablishment of boni mores in the broader society. Essentially, the paper evokes the fundamental principles that cultivate transformed systems that enforce change rather than serving as vehicles of corruption.

Keywords: Corruption, Faith, Law, Transparency, Irony, Morality.

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AUTHOR(S)

Zibele Norless Nodangala is a Lecturer in Public Law at the School of Law and Secretary of the FLHSS Advisory Board. He holds an LLB and an LLM from Walter Sisulu University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from Rhodes University, and is pursuing an LLD at the University of the Free State. His research focuses on human rights, constitutional law, and socio-economic transformation, including the Marikana tragedy. He has published on child protection, gender-based violence, and access to education in under-resourced institutions. Nodangala is dedicated to using the law to advance social justice and sustainable development.

Ms Zimkhitha Ngqeleni is a postgraduate student in the Social Sciences department within the Faculty of Law, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Walter Sisulu University, South Africa.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Nodangala, Norless Zibele, and Zimkhitha Ngqeleni. “The irony of law and faith in corruption.” E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies 12, no.8 (2026): 376 – 384 https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.20261284