The primary aim of this article is to provide a critical exposition of sextortion that confronts the South African public sector institutions. Sextortion can be defined as sexual corruption which involves abuse of position of authority to solicit sexual favours from junior employees and clients of the public sector institutions by taking advantage of their vulnerable circumstances. Moreover, the article discusses the various features of sextortion in order to create an unambiguous understanding of this phenomenon. Besides, a theoretical framework is proposed for a clear understanding of sextortion as it emerges in the workplace. At the same time, this article reflects on the factors that are responsible for sextortion as well as the different strategies through which sextortion can be addressed in South African public sector institutions. It is argued in this article that sextortion does not only constitute unethical behaviour but is also a form of corruption. Further, it is noted that Machiavellian employees create an environment which is conducive for unethical behaviour such as sextortion. In response to the problems related to sextortion, there is a need to classify sextortion as a sexual offence in the legislation in South Africa and criminalise it. Additionally, this article argues that the institutional values, are essential in order to create an ethical environment which does not tolerate sextortion or sexual corruption. In fact, the various determinants and factors that create a conducive environment for sextortion to flourish in South African public sector institutions needs to be identified and addressed decisively