Corruption within the public sector is regarded as one of the main challenges faced by the post-apartheid state. Many attempts have been made to understand the causes and impact of this challenge. This article provides what may be considered an unconventional approach to understanding corruption, and how it may be addressed. First, some of the myths relating to how corruption is understood are explored, with each one of them being shown to have limitations. Second, an attempt is made to locate the problem within its historical evolution, starting with colonial conquest through to the adoption of neoliberalism as the political and economic model for the post-apartheid state. Third, it is argued therefore that a correct understanding of corruption would be to see it as a direct product of capitalist crisis. These approaches help with a shift from seeing corruption as the work of particular individuals and their associates. Similarly, a