SA’s anti-corruption fight stalls despite government’s claims of progress
Despite government claims of tackling corruption, South Africa has seen little progress, with ongoing graft and weak accountability eroding public trust
Image: Pixabay / File
Despite the government claiming that the country was dealing with corruption, South Africa has made little progress, with persistent graft and weak accountability continuing to undermine public trust and effective governance.
This is according to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report by Transparency International, which ranks 182 countries and territories on public-sector corruption. South Africa scored 41 out of 100, remaining below the global average of 42 and showing no improvement over the past three years. South Africa has also ranked 12th in Sub-Saharan Africa, having fallen out of the region’s top 10 a few years ago.
The CPI measures public sector corruption, including bribery, misuse of funds, abuse of office, nepotism, state capture, and the effectiveness of transparency and anti-corruption safeguards.
Non-profit organisation Corruption Watch executive director Lebogang Ramafoko said the government’s inability to strengthen anti-corruption measures is undermining accountability and worsening public services.
"When corrupt officials and politicians continue to abuse their power, the frequent result is poor quality services and fiscal crises, as public funds are mismanaged, contributing to enduring poverty, rising inequality and worsening living standards for millions of people"
François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, said, "Corruption is an evolving global threat that does far more than undermine development".
"Corruption is an evolving global threat that does far more than undermine development – it is a key cause of declining democracy, instability and human rights violations," Valérian said.
He added that the international community and every nation must make tackling corruption a top and long-term priority
"The international community and every nation must make tackling corruption a top and long-term priority. This is crucial to pushing back against authoritarianism and securing a peaceful, free and sustainable world. The dangerous trends revealed in this year's Corruption Perceptions Index highlight the need to follow through with concrete action now to address global corruption".
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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