meeting
22 April 2006
The National Anti-Corruption Forum (NACF) is pleased to announce its first
formal meeting for the year 2006 that was held on Thursday, 20 April 2006. The
NACF looks forward to a successful year in its cross sectoral fight against
corruption and in its efforts to promote a value system that we as South
Africans can be proud of.
Last year witnessed the commencement of the implementation of the National
Anti-Corruption Programme (NAP) as derived from the resolutions of the second
national anti-corruption summit and this year promises accelerated efforts in
the fight against corruption.
Whilst this was the first formal meeting of the NACF this year, its
structures and all sectors represented thereon have continued to implement its
programme against corruption with vigour as witnessed by the following:
* An ethics pledge for the leaders of the sectors was adopted as a
manifestation of their commitment to the NACF in its fight against corruption.
This pledge emphasises accountability and transparency as a focus of concern
for both the private and the public sectors (copy of the pledge attached) and
contains a commitment to ethical conduct, the furtherance of integrity and
reporting of corruption and all other forms of unethical conduct.
* The NACF has realised the need to promote and popularise the Prevention
and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. It is therefore pleased to announce
the imminent release and distribution of a laymanâs guide to the Prevention and
Combating of Corrupt Activities Act developed by the NACF. This guide will
increase the understanding of the Act through the use of illustrations and
simple descriptive language. For this reason the ordinary person will better
understand the manifestations of corruption and their obligations under this
Act in disclosing corrupt activities.
* To further promote the Act a roundtable discussion on the prohibition of
corrupt businesses and persons (as provided for in the Act) will be hosted by
the NACF on 24 May 2006. The sectors will come together to obtain a common
understanding of prohibition and its application in the public sector and
consider the creation of a common database of corrupt businesses and
individuals across all sectors. Through such database the NACF would seek to
expose the reach of corrupt business and persons.
During the meeting of the NACF discussions focused vigorously on the fight
against corruption in all its forms and the need to strengthen the unified
response against corruption.
A report compiled by Civil Society on Apartheid Grand Corruption (CSAGC) was
discussed. This report has been given extensive coverage by the media despite
the fact that it is still under embargo. The NACF expressed its concern and
regret in the manner that the report was leaked before it had the opportunity
to deliberate upon it.
Following a preliminary discussion of the report it was agreed that the
report be fully discussed at a special meeting of the NACF to be held within
six weeks. Civil society will publish this report on a date to be advised. The
NACF did not adopt the report as NACF report; therefore it remains a civil
society report.
Another major focal area of discussion during the meeting of the NACF was
the increasing number of allegations of corporate and other forms of corruption
that has surfaced in the media lately. The NACF recognised the constitutional
right of due process and cautioned against trial through speculation in the
media. It, however, expressed its unanimous concern about these allegations and
its appreciation and encouragement for the efforts of anti-corruption agencies
in investigating these allegations of corruption. The NACF would also like to
make a passionate plea to all South Africans to continue to report any form of
corruption to the appropriate agencies.
The NACF also received a progress report on the African Peer Review
Mechanism (APRM) and its members look forward to participating in the second
National Consultative Conference scheduled for 4 and 5 May 2006.
The NACF further took cognisance of the hosting of global forum four, an
inter-governmental forum against corruption, in South Africa during April 2007.
The non-governmental sectors (civil society and business) have been invited to
participate to share their common concerns with respect to corruption.
The NACF would like to emphasise that it will continue to strive as a united
coalition to minimise corruption and thereby bring the dividends of democracy
to all our people.
Finally the NACF would like to extend its sincere condolences to the family
of Ellen Khuzwayo on her passing away.
For more information please contact:
Clayson Monyela
Cell: 082 806 7405
Humphrey Ramafoko
Cell: 082 782 1730
Issued by: National Anti-Corruption Forum
22 April 2006
