Fernandez, SergioMalan, Lianne PriscillaHoltzhausen, NatasjaTshiyoyo, Mudikolele Michel2025-06-182025-06-182025Sergio Fernandez, Lianne P Malan, Natasja Holtzhausen & Michel M Tshiyoyo (2024) To what extent does corruption erode trust? evidence of reputational spillovers from ten countries in the Southern African development community, Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, 46:2, 113-137, DOI: 10.1080/23276665.2023.2184403.2327-6665 (print)2327-6673 (online)10.1080/23276665.2023.2184403http://hdl.handle.net/2263/102859Emerging research indicates political corruption erodes political trust. However, previous studies have not adequately explored the question of whether corruption by a policy actor can spill over to influence trust in other policy actors. We draw insight from research and theory on collective reputation of organisations among other literature to explain why political corruption can produce reputational spillovers. Using individual-level Afrobarometer survey data from ten countries in the Southern African Development Community, one of the world’s corruption hotspots, the analysis reveals perceived involvement in corruption by a policy actor can spill over to tarnish the reputation of other actors involved in the policy process. State and nonstate policy actors like politicians, judges, bureaucrats and traditional leaders in some measure share a collective reputation and fate. We offer suggestions on how to combat corruption in ways that minimise spillovers and safeguard a shared reputation.en© 2023 The University of Hong Kong. This is an electronic version of an article published in Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 113-137, 2024. doi : 10.1080/23276665.2023.2184403. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration is available online at : https://www.tandfonline.com/rapa20.CorruptionTrustReputationSpilloversSouthern AfricaPostprint Article