World observes Anti-Corruption Day

TODAY, the world commemorates International Anti-Corruption Day in recognition of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) which was signed in Mexico in 2003.

This day, which is observed on December 9 each year, provides an opportunity for political leaders, governments, legal bodies and lobby groups to join forces against corruption. On this day, anti-corruption advocates engage the public to effectively fight against corruption and fraud in communities.

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The South African government says that fighting corruption is a global concern as it is found in both rich and poor countries. “It contributes to instability and poverty and is a dominant factor driving fragile countries towards state failure.”

Corruption in South Africa includes the improper use of public resources for private purposes, such as bribery and unfair favouritism. It remains pervasive, adversely affecting South Africa’s criminal justice system, service delivery, economic opportunities, social cohesion and political integrity.

Commentators believe that although corruption frameworks are in place in South Africa, law enforcement is weak and accountability in the public sector, such as healthcare, remains sub-par.

They say internal sanctions have been introduced to deter whistle-blowers from reporting corrupt practices in both the public and private sectors.

According to the 2021 Afrobarometer survey, 76.2% of South Africans believe that reporting by the general public presents the risk of retaliation or other negative consequences.

Types of corruption in South Africa

South Africa is exposed to various types of corruption, but three notable forms are wasteful spending, state capture and corruption linked to or exploiting the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Act.

Local governments are also said to be heavily affected by corruption and thus regarded as some of the most corrupt institutions in the country.

A 2022 report by the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime describes the presence of organised crime as an ‘existent threat to South Africa’s democratic institutions, economy and people’.

Petty Corruption

A study conducted by the ISS National Crime Victims Association examined the extent and nature of low-level corruption in South Africa. One of the main problems highlighted by the survey is the lack of access to information on how South Africans can report corrupt practices.

Fear of facing retaliation for whistle-blowing, and the widespread belief that reporting corruption will not bring about change, are two other concerns identified in the 2011 survey.

Also read: Citizens urged to join fight against corruption

Survey respondents were most likely to pay bribes to traffic officials, followed by police officers and employment agency officials. These findings support the notion that there is a high perception of corruption in local government departments, such as traffic and local police.

Anti-corruption initiative

Government efforts against corruption are coordinated by the Ministry of Public Service and Administration. Public guardians also have a role to play in fighting corruption. In 2008, the anti-corruption unit, the Directorate General of Preferred Criminal Investigations (DPCI), known as the Hawks, was introduced to target organised crime, economic crime and corruption.

The Counter-Corruption Act (PCCA) criminalises corruption in the public and private sectors, codifies certain crimes and makes the act more accessible to courts. The law requires public officials to report corruption offences and specifically condemns bribery, extortion, abuse of power and money laundering.

Despite efforts to combat corruption, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) found that 66% of Covid-19 personal protective equipment funding was spent through corruption or fraud.

On the other hand, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, says: “The levels of corruption in our country have reached completely unacceptable proportions, and unless something very drastic and effective is done soon, we will have no country worth calling our home.”