North West Premier, Ms Thandi Modise, said that corruption is an enemy of effective and quality service delivery in the country. The Premier made this statement at the conclusion of the two-day Round-Table Discussion on Anti-Corruption.
She lauded delegates for emerging with practical and implementable resolutions. Among other things, delegates agreed that additional laws and regulations would not necessarily help to defeat the scourge of corruption. What was required, according to delegates, is the proper and effective implementation of current laws, regulations and codes.
The meeting made a call for government to strengthen its capacity to implement existing laws by prosecuting and punishing offenders. In this regard both internal and external investigations and prosecution of offenders should take place expeditiously in order to rid the public service of fraudsters and corrupt officials.
This approach would send a clear message to would-be offenders that corruption does not pay. The corrupters will not find space to operate within the public service. Delegates called for cooperation between law enforcement agencies and internal investigation units in government to ensure speedy resolution and, where appropriate, punishment of offenders.
The two-day summit noted that government needed to tighten and improve its tender adjudication systems. Government should take serious steps by blacklisting companies and individuals found guilty of corruption or which provide substandard services when contracted to do so on behalf of government
In the workplace management was encouraged to build a culture of ethical conduct where high standards of integrity are upheld. The meeting identified integrity as the cornerstone of good governance. Delegates agreed that ethics and integrity must be part of the school curriculum if the nation wants to build a corruption-free culture.
Premier Modise emphasised that the war against corruption cannot be won by government alone. She lamented the fact that people who are aware of corruption are reluctant to blow the whistle. Delegates advised government to ensure that there is adequate protection of whistle-blowers. Legislation alone will not be sufficient if there are no concrete measures and will to protect whistle-blowers.
Civil society, especially labour, should strengthen its advocacy for good governance. The private sector should also recognise its role in corruption, as some within its ranks collude with public servants to steal from the public purse. In this regard, the Premier said, “A high degree of public scrutiny is important to hold the private sector and civil society groups to the same accountability standards as people in public office.”
She said that the fight against fraud and corruption could only be won if ordinary citizens, business, public sector, the media and law enforcement agencies join hands with government.
The Premier pointed out that the media has a crucial role to play in promoting good governance, accountability and clean administration. She however cautioned, “When we accuse people of corruption, we must verify our facts first, because such reports have a possibility of destroying people’s lives unnecessarily.”
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