Lifestyle Audits, Procurement Integrity and Sustainable Development: Strengthening Governance, Accountability and Social Sustainability in South Africa's Public Sector

Abstract

Corruption in South Africa's public procurement system continues to undermine institutional credibility, service delivery, investor confidence, and sustainable economic growth, while also constraining the equitable allocation of public resources essential to social sustainability. A persistent governance concern is the prevalence of public officials living beyond their legitimate financial means, particularly within supply chain management where procurement decisions involve significant financial discretion. This article examines the role of lifestyle audits as a governance mechanism for strengthening procurement integrity, enhancing accountability, and supporting economic and social sustainability. A qualitative systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports, legislative documents, and publications from international organisations. The literature was identified through structured database searches and synthesised using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that lifestyle audits can serve as an effective preventive governance instrument by identifying unexplained wealth, improving financial transparency, and strengthening accountability when supported by institutional independence, transparent implementation, effective financial disclosure systems, and consistent enforcement. However, their effectiveness is constrained by fragmented implementation, political interference, limited investigative capacity, and weak consequence management. The study concludes that lifestyle audits should be embedded within an integrated governance framework incorporating procurement transparency, digital financial monitoring, ethical leadership, institutional accountability, and independent oversight. Strengthening these mechanisms can enhance procurement integrity, reduce corruption risks, promote equitable public resource allocation and service delivery, reinforce public confidence, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic development.