Renowned Kenyan intellectual, legal expert and scholar Professor Patrick Lumumba has endorsed President Cyril Ramaphosa's fight against corruption and for ensuring that his predecessor Jacob Zuma was brought to court to answer to corruption charges.

He said although the jury was still out on whether South Africa would root out corruption, he firmly believed that the country was heading in the right direction in as far as the fight against corruption is concerned.

Addressing a media briefing in Mthatha yesterday prior to delivering the Nelson Mandela Memorial Lecture in the afternoon, Lumumba said corruption was a crime against humanity but warned that the fight won't be easy.

"Although the jury is out, I can see trends that suggest that action is being taken," he said.

"When you see a former head of state [Zuma] being arraigned before a court of law. I believe your government is moving in the right direction."

He said the move sent a message to all and sundry that if you have the privilege to serve people and you do things that are untoward, "no matter what position you serve in, you are no higher than the law".

"I want to congratulate the government [of SA]."