EDITOR – The release of the latest Development Indicators 2012 report by government shows a backward slide in South Africa’s ranking in Transparency Internationals corruption perception index. ‘
South Africa has slipped five places down the index since 2011 to a middling 69th place. It is worth noting that this is a regression of more than 30 places since 1997. It is the clearest indication yet that the South African government is losing the fight against corruption.
On a daily basis we are bombarded by reports of corruption involving politicians, officials and the private sector.
It has created a sense of numbness which appears to have dulled the outrage and intolerance that we should all have for acts of corruption which are exposed. Sadly the consequences in most cases never match the deed.
It is clear that government has been doing little more than paying lip-service to fighting corruption.
We have no limit on the plethora of government ‘strategy plans’, ‘memorandums’ and ‘task teams’, what we are yet to see, however, is a single transversal initiative, properly resourced, and able to take the fight to the corrupt in a co-ordinated, coherent and vigorous manner.
We need to see those guilty of corruption prosecuted to the full extent of the law and jailed. Until we have that, the government response will remain the inaudible whisper in the midst of a brutally raging thunderstorm of corruption and maladministration.
John Steenhuisen MP
Shadow Minister: COGTA
Parliament of RSA
