The following are the recommendations that emanated from the break-away sessions that took place yesterday:
- Strongly support the notion that additional laws and regulations will not necessarily be helpful. Proper application of current existing laws, regulations and codes is what is required. The public sector already has, as an example, a code of conduct issued by the government.
- Values should drive our actions. Each individual should take responsibility for his/her sphere of influence. Government has adopted the Batho-Pele principles which encompass the best values that we can learn from and of course live by.
- The principles of the king reports are not adequately pursued.
- Government needs to tighten and improve the tender adjudication systems.
- Internal Audit to enhance reliability of reported information, view given that the computerised system in government do not operate as a unit, necessitating manual resuscitation ( can lead to errors in reporting).
- The interface between public and private sectors on corruption was not addressed. More work needs to be done in this area.
- Integrity is the corner stone of good governance. Fostering integrity and preventing corruption in the public sector is essential to maintaining public trust in government.
- Ethical standards must be promoted through legislation and policy.
- Ethical guidance and training must be provided for the employees in the work place.
- In the work place management must cultivate a culture of ethical consciousness. High standards of integrity and conduct must be upheld.
- Political will and commitment must be demonstrated in unambiguous way.
- Ethics and integrity must be mainstreamed in the education system and training institutions
- Civil society, especially labour, must strengthen their advocacy for good governance.
- Government must strengthen the sanctions system by:
1. Implementing existing legislative and policy instruments.
2. Prosecuting wrong-doers. 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. In this way we will also ensure that the would-be offenders would get a clear message that corruption does not pay. The corrupters will not find a market to operate in within the public service. Provide annual reports on cases of successful sanctions. There must be cooperation between law enforcement agencies and internal investigation units to ensure speedy resolution and, where possible, punishment of offenders.
- Society must continue to debate the current macro-economic system that promotes greed, materialism etc.
- Government must 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.
- Finally we must 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.
The following principles were identified as critical in the fight against fraud and corruption:
- Respect for others
- The will to serve others
- Honesty by individuals
- The will to pursue justice and
- The will to build better communities based on high moral values.
Premier’s overview
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.
“As government we are establishing units of the anti-corruption unit within the province. We are supportive of the campaign to conduct unannounced and sporadic lifestyle audits of public servants as potential corruptors and corrupters”.
“We have over this term instituted forensic investigations and suspended where recommended some of the implicated officials. The ongoing investigations on alleged corruption will continue until all cases have been closed and dismissed.
According to the Premier, the provincial support and monitoring function on local government will be expanded to include a process of monitoring corruption as it manifests itself in municipalities.
She said that the register of blacklisted service providers according to Treasury directives will go online once the national database is published.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Spokesperson: North West Provincial Government
Tel: 018 388 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
