Residents input to corruption strategy

Alex residents contributed to the development of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy which has been in the making by the government since 2016.

This was at a workshop at Sankopano Community Centre conducted by NPO Corruption Watch. Amanda Shivamba of the NPO said the government is hoping the strategy will curb rampant corruption in the public, private and civil society sectors. Shivamba said it has become a menacing culture which enables crime and other social ills to also fester.

She said workshops will also be conducted in other areas. “We want to gather as many details, views, concerns and suggested solutions on corruption from communities and all sectors for consideration into the strategy by the government,” Shivamba.

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She added that the process with a deadline of submission of 28 August would have gathered sufficient public input if it had been open to the public from inception. “To ensure the ‘strategy is by the people and for the people’, it’s vital to have a total buy-in by communities and all sectors.” She suggested that the strategy to be implemented at a presidential level to make it a high priority.

Shivamba also said they have consulted experts to ensure the strategy reflects and complies with best international norms, standards and practice, and public surveys were done in partnership with the Public Affairs Research Institute.

The focus is to:

• Ensure support and safety of whistleblowers
• Ensure partnerships based on anti-corruption values and guidelines
• Ensure and monitor transparency with public information and accountability on resources
• Instil integrity in the public procurement processes
• Provide professional training for senior personnel in positions of trust
• Infuse consequence management to transgressors
• Strengthen the independence of government oversight bodies like Chapter Nine and 10 institutions
• Strengthen the independence of anti-corruption agencies like the Hawks and National Prosecution Authority
• Ensure vulnerable sector management stops the abuse of vulnerable public, like the Life Esidimeni saga.

The residents including activists, councillors, small business owners and non-governmental organisation representatives complained about rampant corruption. They blamed councillors for exposing whistleblowers’ personal details to criminals and beneficiaries of corruption who threatened them; leaders in government for creating an environment of fear and cabals around power and resources to avoid accountability; exclusive patronage systems with power over formal structures for resource benefits; they urged for policy strengthening; intense anti-corruption publicity using various mediums; retraining of public servants on accountability, values and ethics; independent professional agencies to monitor the public service, and for a united effort by all citizens, as corruption affects everyone directly or indirectly.

Details: Corruption Watch 011 403 2392.