CDE executive director Ann Bernstein spoke to Power FM about how corruption, organised crime and political interference are deepening Johannesburg’s decline. Bernstein argued that criminal networks and politically connected businesses are profiting from failing municipal services, while unqualified appointments and weakened investigative capacity enable corruption to flourish. She called for greater transparency in procurement, merit-based appointments and stronger independent investigations to restore accountability. The interview follows the release of CDE’s fifth Johannesburg Matters report, Time for Action: Corruption in Joburg.