The Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet says that corruption should not be treated as a criminal issue, but also as a human right issue as it robs the people their basic human needs. She further stated that corruption delays service delivery, and that efforts are made to establish adequate anti corruption capacity in all government departments. Kiviet was speaking at the two-day Anti-Corruption Learning Network that started today in Port Elizabeth. The Network is attended among others by Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Mr Roy Padayachie; the Chairperson of the Eastern Cape multi-sectoral Provincial Anti-Corruption Forum, Roads and Public Works MEC Pemmy Majodina; Eastern Cape MECs; members of the Provincial Legislature; civil servants from all the nine provinces of the country and other stakeholders in the fight against corruption.
Premier Kiviet encouraged the public servants to “make use of all the necessary capabilities we have to deal effectively with all the social and economic forces that continue to bedevil our country. We can’t hope to enjoy the benefits gained from our democratic dispensation if we allow an environment that is anomalous to our democratic values to thrive unperturbed.”
The Premier has reiterated that corruption involves both the civil servants, the civil society and business in particular, that seek to gain what she called an “unfair share” from government resources through corrupt practices. She therefore called upon members of the society to help government by exposing all parties involved in corruption for a better service delivery.
The theme for the two day-session Learning Network is: “Join hands and lead a common fight against corruption.” This is in line with one of the Eastern Cape Strategic Government Priorities announced by Premier Kiviet during the State of The Province Address; “Intensifying the fight against crime and corruption- All departments to have to have anti-corruption, risk management and fraud and prevention capacity.
The Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Mr Roy Padayachie has called on all public servants to work together in combating corruption in the service.
In his address the Deputy Minister said officials are the ones best placed to deal with corruption. He echoed Premier Kiviet’s words of government to be seen by action and practicality in dealing with corruption in public service, calling on everyone to play a part in the efforts. “This is a shared responsibility, not one borne by the government alone. It means that all of us, whether we work in the government or in private business or in the informal sector, have to think harder about what we can do for our nation’s development,” said the Deputy Minister.
All participants have come to share their experiences and knowledge on the best practices in the fight against corruption. All lessons learnt, whether negative or positive, will contribute towards growing the Network from strength to strength. Discussions which will be held will stimulate on how to build the nation while reducing and eliminating corruption for the benefit of all.
The Network is broken into four Commissions discussing strategies on: How to detect corruption through the use of whistle blowing, How to manage the conflict of interest in the workplace, How to investigate corrupt activities and How to raise awareness to the public and in a workplace as a preventative measure.
It is hoped that the Anti-Corruption Learning Network will assist in pointing out issues that need to be improved in order to finally eradicate corruption in the public service.
For more information:
Mr Zola Tyikwe
Cell: 082 414 7757
Ms Nomfundo wakwa Luphondwana
Cell: 082 440 2728
Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
30 July 2009
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecpg.gov.za/)
