‘Corruption slowly consumes South Africa’ – Vavi

BRAAMFONTEIN – A revelation was made during the second Mandela Memorial Dialogue on Development and Rights at Wits School of Governance, that is, corruption is slowly consuming South Africa and structure of poverty has not changed.

Corruption and its impact in the country was the subject of the dialogue on the evening of 30 July.

It was attended by the former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi; Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela; Mark Heywood, the director of Section 27; executive director of the Southern Africa Litigation Centre, Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh; deputy chair of the South African Human Rights Commission, Pregs Govender; Wits University professors and students.

Speaking at the event, Vavi said corruption and fraud continue to be rampant in the country.

“SA has lost R700 billion to corruption – ranging from money laundering, price fixing and fraudulent tenders. Money is spent on fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Government loses a lot to tender fraud,” Vavi said. “No day passes in this country without us reading about corruption.”

He added that he still believes that ordinary people have the power to demand accountability and ethical leadership.

“We are now saying enough is enough. We need accountability. It is time to stand up and march again as a country. That is why we are organising a national march to the Union Building on 19 August,” said Vavi.

Adv Madonsela told the audience in the packed hall that human’s rights can be violated in so many ways and it is exactly what is taking place in this country right now.

“Administration failure and corrupt decision can undermine social justice,” she said.

The Public Protector admitted that people, who do not have power, are affected by poverty and hunger.

All the speakers at the event acknowledged things would have been different if the late former President Mandela was still a president at this time.

“He never refused to take responsibility for his actions, he always took a stand when called,” said Ramjathan-Keogh.

Heywood said it is sad that 21 years down the line many people still see civil society as the enemy and the increasing inequality in the country is also shocking.

Govender said, “ [In] 21 years of democracy, structure of poverty has not changed.

“People who have got no power are continuing to drown in poverty and hunger and it seems like we are far from getting it better,” she said.

Details: www.justice.gov.za