Justice, ethics can fight corruption

2010-11-25 22:16

Johannesburg - An effective justice system and promoting good ethics within public service are key to fighting fraud and corruption, the Gauteng provincial government said on Thursday.

"To ensure success; it is important that each part of the (justice) system and each step in the process, including detection, investigation, prosecution and conviction, are effectively undertaken," the premier's office said in a statement.

"(Also) certain values may contribute to an environment which is more conducive to corrupt behaviour while ethical values contribute to an intolerance of corruption in society."

The declarations came at the conclusion of the provincial anti-corruption summit that ended on Wednesday.

The summit was attended by delegates from government, labour, business and other civil society sectors.

A provincial anti-corruption strategic framework outlined steps that were being taken to address criminality within the province.

It declared that mechanisms to report corruption should be effective and followed up with maximum penalties against guilty parties.

The framework also spoke of promoting ethical procurement, and combating corruption in the delivery of housing, health care and law enforcement.

Speaking on behalf of Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, Finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe said corruption was a universal problem that impeded growth by diverting resources away from development programmes, thus increasing poverty, inequality and underdevelopment.

"It threatens the very foundations of our democracy and directly undermines service delivery to those who need it most," he said.

Nkomfe said that putting key legislative frameworks in place had laid a firm foundation in fighting corruption.

- SAPA