Private sector corruption rife

2010-03-29 14:10

Johannesburg - Corruption is more rife in the private sector than the public sector, former judge Willem Heath said at a seminar on corruption in Johannesburg on Monday.

"Corruption is committed by greedy rich people in the private sector," Heath said at an SA Communist Party anti-corruption seminar.

He said R1.5 billion was being taken outside South Africa by rich people who avoided paying taxes.

He said though corruption was rife, the majority of cases were not reported, leaving few cases to go to court. Among those that made it to court, the rate of conviction was very low.

"International syndicates study the laws of the country, companies and government departments for loopholes. When they come, they come prepared knowing where to start."

He told the seminar that there was a need for a team of experts to work with the police and the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure that corruption was being uprooted.

- SAPA