KZN named second most corrupt province in SA

KZN is the second most corrupt  province in the country, recording almost 2 000 grievances in a little more than half a year.

This was according to Corruption Watch’s 2020 Analysis of Corruption Trends Report, released on Tuesday.
The province follows closely behind Gauteng where 44 per cent of  corruption reports originate.

However, despite KZN’s increase in reported corruption cases, the number of whistle-blowers has decreased.

Corruption Watch’s Melusi Ncala, the report’s primary researcher, said this indicated that corruption existed in every sphere of government, with the silent complicity of the private sector affecting the poorest South Africans.

‘We learn of unruly police officials; resources lost to greedy officials; and medical facilities that cannot care for the sick because beds, medical equipment and medication are not provided for, or are simply stolen,’ said Ncala.

Misappropriation of resources at local government level made up for 35 per cent of the reported corruption cases.
‘We have learnt, from  whistle-blowers, that municipal officials have embezzled and  mismanaged funds meant for service delivery and community development,’ continued Ncala.

‘In some cases, it is reported that tens of millions of rand are unaccounted for, where funds were allocated for the construction of sports’ facilities, roads and houses.’

The report indicated that, from the start of Covid-19, Corruption Watch received 67 reports of corruption
relating to the provision of food parcels.
‘This exposes corruption in its most basic form, the greediness of those in power who steal food out of the mouths of the most vulnerable in our society,’ he said.
‘Members of the public have been asked to pay money, or exchange favours, to receive a food parcel or voucher.’
Bribery features in 31 per cent of reports of police corruption, highlighting a deep-seated crisis within South African law enforcement.