Pretoria – Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe, says acting together as a united and coherent force offers the possibility to deliver a crushing blow against corruption.
Speaking at the International Anti-Corruption Day event held at the University of South Africa in Pretoria, earlier today, Minister Radebe said since 2014, government has ensured the conviction of 90 persons and legal entities for corruption and corruption related matters.
He said of the 90 persons convicted, 32 were in respect of cases where the total amount involved is R5 million per case.
“The total amount involved in the 32 cases was about R3.8 billion,” he said.
The remaining 58 persons convicted where the amount involved was less than R5 million per case -- the total amount involved was in the order of R188 million.
Minister Radebe said since 2014 to date, government has been able to obtain 871 freezing orders totalling R7.65 billion, as well as 1 089 forfeiture/confiscation orders to the value of R2.86 billion.
From April 2014 to the current period, President Zuma has signed 27 Proclamations empowering the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) to investigate serious malpractices, maladministration and corruption in connection with the administration of State Institutions and to take appropriate and effective civil action.
The results obtained by the SIU include the recovery of cash or assets to the tune of R204 million, the setting aside or invalidation of contracts and/or administrative decisions/actions to the value of R756 million and the referral of 3 855 matters for disciplinary, executive and/or administrative action.
In a bid to curb corruption, Minister Radebe said steps have been taken to improve transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of Supply Chain Management (SCM) by simplifying the process of doing business with state in the SCM environment.
The Central Supplier Database (CSD) is the first step as the precursor to eProcurement in Government.
An eTender Publication Portal has been created which aims to improved transparency of procurement spend specifically in the tender space.
“Despite the progress we have made, it is indubitable that corruption continues to be a menace.
“We are thus obligated to adopt a whole of government and societal approach in order to build a resilient anti-corruption system, an accountable public service, a moral society and ensuring adequate transparency by asserting the authority of the state, improving coordination, improving ethical conduct, promoting citizen participation and public education,” Minister Radebe said.
Commitment to end deceit, dishonesty
Also speaking was at the event was Gauteng Premier David Makhura who said commemorating the Anti-Corruption Day is reaffirming government’s commitment to ending deceit and dishonest.
“We are reaffirming our commitment to ending deceit and dishonesty both in the public and private sector,” he said, adding that corruption remains a matter of concern.
“We are acting harshly against maladministration because it robs the people of their right to receive quality services from government,” he said.
International Anti-Corruption Day
The 2016 international theme by the United Nations to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption Day is “United against Corruption”.
South Africa commemorate the day under the national subtheme “In Partnership towards a National Anti-Corruption Strategy”.
South Africa is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption that was signed in 2003 and the International Anti-Corruption Day gives government a chance to take stock of achievements in fighting corruption and to reflect on challenges which still remain.
The commemoration also provides an opportunity to raise public awareness of the need for everyone in society to unite in the fight against corruption.
National Development Plan
The National Development Plan (NDP) which is a long term vision and plan that serves as a blueprint for the work that needs to be done to achieve a prosperous society for South Africa has set in motion work towards the development of a country with zero tolerance for corruption.
The NDP also recognizes that corruption is a societal issue that must be confronted head on and its eradication requires collaboration between the public and private sectors. – SAnews.gov.za
