Uprooting scourge of graft

STRATEGIES: TRANSPARENCY, IMPARTIALITY, UPHOLDING RULE OF LAW

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Local govt has become a breeding ground for corruption.

The pre-G20 Summit anticorruption workgroup session in the Western Cape was a timely initiative, given the pervasive nature of corruption in South Africa, particularly at the local government level.

Corruption is a moral dilemma with far-reaching consequences for society. It manifests in various forms, including theft (particularly of land, which is the basis for human livelihood), embezzlement, bribery, nepotism and procurement fraud.

The consequences of corruption are dire: arrested economic growth, poor service delivery, crumbling infrastructure and a loss of public trust in government institutions.

Therefore, the government must introduce mandatory ethics training for all local government officials and councillors, focusing on moral rectitude and stewardship. This training should be a prerequisite for assuming office and should be reinforced through regular workshops and assessments.

Local government is ideally positioned to drive nation-building and social cohesion. However, it has instead become a breeding ground for corruption, factionalism, and self-enrichment. The fierce competition for political office within the ANC has diverted attention from community needs, exacerbating the problems.