Corruption is a social ill that cuts across all sectors of society.
There is a societal outcry regarding the problem of corruption in the organs of the state and in society more broadly. The ANC-led government must rigorously root out all forms of corruption, including tender-rigging, fraud, bribery and nepotism in all state institutions.
In line with the vision, South Africa is a signatory to the UN Convention against corruption. Since the adoption of this convention by the UN General Assembly in 2003, International Anti-Corruption Day has been observed annually on December 9.
The fight against corruption is a major priority of government. We are faced with the reality of corruption in the private and public sector that has a detrimental effect on our ability to deliver effective services to the people.
In addition, many people view corruption as something that others do, or as a problem that must be tackled by government. However, in effect, corruption affects all of us.
The 2016 Local Government Elections highlighted among many other things, three critical challenges – unemployment, crime and corruption.
These are the areas that affect the majority of South Africans on a daily basis. Unless they are definitely addressed. These socio-economic challenges threaten to erode the dignity that 1994 restored, and reverse the gains of the last two decades.
As South Africans, let us commit to fighting corruption in all its manifestations. Corruption never begins and ends with one person. We must adopt a holistic approach to fighting this scourge, and deal with the corruptor and corrupted.
A leader of society must be the first port of call in the fight against corruption and that those who encourage this conduct are brought to book. The cadre must instil in his belief that corruption is ultimately looting, a behaviour undertaken by lumpens with a sole purpose of stealing public resources and thus subjecting our people to the vicious circle of poverty and underdevelopment.
It thus requires such a leader to have a principled approach to fighting corruption in the same vein to fighting poverty and underdevelopment.
Working in harmony with our city leaders, we will increase awareness on how we can deal with price-fixing, tender fraud, bribery, illicit financial flows, illegal imports and misuse of tax havens.
This process does not happen in isolation. It will strengthen our existing and-corruption arsenal. This includes the adoption of a code of conduct for the public service, as well as the establishment of specialised anti-corruption units such as the SA Police Services Organised Crime Unit.
