Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)
5 October 2006
Following the release of the 2006 bribe payer's index by Transparency
International yesterday, some sections of the media have been running a
factually incorrect story that South Africa is not a signatory to the
UNCAC.
In fact, South Africa became a signatory to the UNCAC on 9 December 2003,
and became the 11th country to ratify this convention, on 22 November 2004.
This makes South Africa a member of the Conference of States Parties tasked
with improving the capacity of and co-operation between States Parties, and to
promote and review implementation. This information is freely available and an
elementary internet search or a telephone call to the Ministry for Public
Service and Administration would have revealed this.
South Africa complies with the mandatory requirements of the UNCAC, meaning
that all the requirements of the UNCAC that are not optional for countries to
implement have indeed been implemented in this country. South Africa is also a
member of the Friends of the UNCAC, an informal grouping of countries that are
advocating for the speedy implementation of the UNCAC. This grouping of
countries will again convene in Argentina later this month to prepare for the
first conference of States Parties to the UNCAC.
The manner in which some sections of the media has carried the patently
incorrect and unverified information regarding our country's ratification is
unfortunate.
Enquiries:
Clayson Monyela
Cell: 082 806 7405
Email: Claysonm@dpsa.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry for Public Service and Administration
5 October 2006
