The ACDP understands the necessity to build an efficient, capable, and ethical state that is free of corruption and committed to improving citizens’ lives. Whilst there are hundreds of thousands of loyal, honest and hardworking public servants, there are still regrettably many who engage in corrupt activities, particularly in the public procurement space.
The Zondo Commission identified the primary mechanism of state capture to be the “the strategic positioning of particular individuals in positions of power”, which was then used to gain control of public procurement and over law enforcement agencies. Corrupt politicians and officials used appointment and disciplinary processes to remove law-abiding public servants and replace them with those who were willing to be complicit in corruption.
The ACDP believes that what is needed is public servants who are true servants of the people and who understand the principle of stewardship of state resources – which are not there to be looted and stolen.
The ACDP agrees that one of the ways of combatting of corruption is by continuous lifestyle audits for all public servants, particularly those in high-risk categories such as Supply Chain Management, Finance, and Revenue Collection officials. The Department should also close existing loopholes and strengthen the legal framework compelling departments and entities to conduct such audits regularly. Integrity and Ethics Task Teams comprising external members must be established to promote ethical conduct.
Lastly, the ACDP questions whether public servants are aware of the provisions of the Corruption Act (Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act – PRECCA), which not only criminalise corrupt activities, but also makes it a crime not to report such crimes where more than R100 000 is involved. The ACDP is not aware of a single prosecution in terms of section 34. Perhaps public servants are prepared to turn a blind eye, given the inadequate protection of whistleblowers. There is an urgent need to significantly enhance whistleblower protection, and even to offer a financial incentive, given the risks faced.
The ACDP will support the Reports.
I thank you.
