Pretoria - The North West Premier’s Office will host its 3rd Annual Anti- Corruption Roundtable Discussion to empower anti-corruption structures to unmask corruption and promote an ethical culture.
The two-day discussion, which starts on Wednesday in Rustenburg, is also aimed at creating a deeper understanding of the many facets of the scourge of corruption and strengthening the implementation of programmes to combat the phenomenon.
It will also address the use of cell phones to perpetuate fraud, corruption and the technological equipment used in cybercrime.
“Although those who thrive on corruption will do everything in their power to destabilise and undermine our efforts to achieve clean governance and administration as it does not serve their interests, unmasking the network of corruption syndicates is the patriotic duty of every one of us,” said North West Premier Thandi Modise on Tuesday.
The roundtable is held in partnership with the Provincial Anti-Corruption Forum under the theme ‘The Battle against Corruption – Our Vision towards Good Financial Management’.
It will kick off with a learning network gala dinner to be addressed by Modise.
Other speakers on the programme include Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, Statistician General Pali Lehohla, and the National Head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit in the National Prosecution Agency, Willie Hofmeyr.
National anti-corruption fight
The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster says South Africa is making steady progress in the fight against corruption.
In its quarterly briefing on Sunday, 3 November, the cluster -- which includes the Police Ministry, State Security, Home Affairs and Justice and Constitutional Development -- said more people are getting arrested for fraudulent and illicit activities.
In total, 522 allegations of serious corruption were recorded by the end of June 2013. A total of 791 persons are currently under criminal, financial and/or forensic investigation. Of these, a total of 92 people received or potentially received R5 million or more in illicit benefits.
There are pre-trial proceedings in 98 priority cases against 287 accused at present, whilst actual trial proceedings have been initiated against 159 accused.
Forty-one accused persons have been convicted, two acquitted and charges were withdrawn against 25 persons.
In September, government announced that it had recovered R330 million following tip-offs received via the National Anti-Corruption Hotline since its establishment in September 2004.
The hotline can be reached toll free on 0800 701 701. – SAnews.gov.za
