30 July 2007
In order to track changes over time and to build on the baseline data from
the Business Survey Against Corruption 2002, the Department of Public Service
and Administration (DPSA) is currently carrying out a repeat of the 2002 survey
as part of the impact appraisal of the national anti-corruption framework.
The aim of the study is to assess the extent of corruption within the
private sector as well as the extent to which the private sector has
implemented the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PCCA) of
2004 and other obligations, including the African Peer Review Mechanism
Programme Of Actions (APRM POA), implementation and those of the Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Convention Against Bribery of
Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transaction.
The survey is targeted at companies operating in South Africa and South
African companies with operations in other countries. The survey will be
carried out with a national sample of 1 500 businesses that employ 50 or more
people at site level.
The survey will focus on the following issues:
* the business environment including obstacles to doing business
* problems of corruption within the business sector including the extent and
levels of corruption
* transparency (law, regulations, compliance with corporate governance
issue)
* obligations as per the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act,
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations
(UN) Convention Against Corruption
* doing business in foreign countries
* bribery by South African companies in foreign countries.
Fieldwork for the study will commence towards the first week of August 2007,
with the results being published by October 2007. The study will be undertaken
by the Consortium of Plus 94 Research and Deloitte.
The survey will be conducted in a two-pronged approach: telephonically and
through an online-based questionnaire. The potential respondent when contacted
by the service provider will choose their preferred method of data
collection.
The results of the survey will contribute substantially towards co-ordinated
efforts to prevent and combat corrupt activities.
The results will also assist government in fulfilling our reporting
requirements vis-a-vis the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the
OECD Convention Against Bribery.
Post 1994, the government has put in place a number of measures to combat
corruption. Amongst these measures and initiatives are the adoption of the Code
of Conduct for the Public Service in 1997, the National Anti-Corruption Summit
in 1999, the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Forum in 2001, the
adoption of the Public Service Anti-Corruption Strategy in 2002, holding of the
2nd National Anti-Corruption Summit in 2005, the compliance audit of the Public
Service Anti-Corruption Strategy in 2006, and the hosting of the 2nd Pan
African National Anti-Corruption Bodies, Africa Forum on Fighting Corruption
and Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in 2007.
As stressed during the Africa Forum on Fighting Corruption, held in
February/March 2007 in Ekurhuleni, and the Global Forum V on Fighting
Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity, held in Johannesburg in April 2007,
governments have a responsibility to work together with other sectors of the
society to intensify the fight against corruption.
Issued by: Ministry of Public Service and Administration
30 July 2007
