South Africa : NW communities urged to build a corruption free society

By Kagiso Metswamere

Utlwanang - The North West Provincial Government has called on the province's residents to become the eyes and ears of government in the fight against corruption.

Speaking during the commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day held at Utlwanang on Tuesday, Acting Premier of the North West, Jerry Thibedi said all communities and the leaders of various civil-society organisations must become advocates against fraud and corruption.

They can do this by continuing to report all forms of fraud and corruption.

Corruption can be described as procurement irregularities; the abuse of government vehicles; social grant fraud; the fraudulent acquisition of IDs, passports, and birth, marriage and death certificates as well as the solicitation of bribes by traffic and other government officials; the theft of government equipment; RDP housing corruption; nepotism and irregular appointments.

"If you tell us about these incidents, government shall act. The police and justice system in particular, are serious about rooting out those elements which gives the public service a bad name."

He said while government had a responsibility to lead the fight against corruption, it has to do so in a coalition which mobilises civil society, the business sector, the youth and women.

"We also need to bring in workers, the religious sector, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, the justice system, the Department of Correctional Services, the media and all sectors of our society," said Mr Thibedi.

He highlighted that the North West was declared a leading province with regard to complying with government's anti-corruption measures by the Public Service Commission.

He said that by marking Anti-Corruption Day, the provincial government was enhancing citizens' awareness about the impact of corruption on their lives and the solutions to it.

However, Mr Thibedi said the provincial government also wanted to reassure them of its determination to continue working towards building a society free of corruption.

International Anti-Corruption Day is a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime-endorsed initiative held annually on 9 December.

According to the agency, attitudes on corruption are changing, and there are signs of growing intolerance toward corruption. More and more politicians and chief executives are being tried and convicted around the world. - BuaNews