North West Premier, Thandi Modise says the fight against fraud and corruption can only be won if ordinary citizens, business, public sector, the media and law enforcement agencies join hands with government.
The Premier was speaking at the first round table discussion of the North West Provincial Anti Corruption Forum held in Rustenburg on Thursday.
“The North West is showing the way on how important networking is in the fight against fraud and corruption to include all sectors of society bent on receiving quality service and above all, those yearning for clean governance.
These two days amplify the provincial government’s determination to give corruption no place to hide, within the public service and all state entities, as well as in business,” Premier Modise said.
The round table discussion is a partnership initiative which includes the North West University and the Provincial Anti-Corruption Forum.
It was attended amongst others by MECs, senior government officials and various organisations of civil society.
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.
“We appeal to the people of the North West to do what is right”.
“As stakeholders in good governance and institutions mediating between the state and the public, the organisations that comprise “civil society”-citizen groups, non-governmental organisations, trade unions, business associations, think tanks, academia, religious organisations and last but not least; print and electronic media can have an important role to play in constraining corruption,” she said.
She 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.”
The Premier said that a high degree of public scrutiny is important to hold civil society groups to the same accountability standards as people in public office or private companies.
Premier acknowledged that one of the impediments to quality life and effective delivery in any democracy is fraud and corruption and lack of reporting it.
“It is incumbent upon all of us to act in a manner that is consistent with our set objective of sustainable development and improvement of the quality of life of all South Africans and in particular, the most vulnerable,” she added.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Spokesperson: North West Provincial Government
Cell: 082 578 4063
E-mail: cmonama@nwpg.gov.za
