One of the prerequisites to an efficient and effective government is that corruption is under control. That is not to say that the country will not work if there is rampant corruption – it will, as demonstrated by the likes of India and many other developing countries. Corruption however, prevents a country from realising its true potential – economic and otherwise.
Earlier this month, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe suggested the introduction of a subject related to ethics in schools as a preventative measure against corruption. An interesting priority given the current level of literacy in South Africa. One would hope it would make sense to get the basics right first.
Below are the results of a somewhat dated ISS survey from 2003 giving some indication of the South African citizen exposure to corruption. Inflation over the last 8 years will have no doubt affected these figures and Wonkie would be keen to read your comments:
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These bribery and petty corruption statistics rarely make the news as the larger scandals, for which perpertrators generally get off scot-free, are apparently more news-worthy.
When, if ever, are heads going to roll for the likes of the arms deal scandal, the dodgy building purchase by police themselves, the Julius Malema lifestyle audit that never was, etc? Add to that the powerful secrecy bill, an excellent tool to mask corruption in government, and you’re looking at a firm move by government to entrench corruption, rather than to eradicate it.
Wonkie wonders what Mr Motlanthe intends to teach school children about ethics and corruption when his own house is so far from being set straight.
Please complete our anonymous poll on corruption in South Africa:
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If the thought of corruption is way too depressing, take your mind off it and take part in our latest lion meets giraffe photo caption challenge:
(7 raters, Click a star a star to rate this article)
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Motlanthe is also part of the problem as is his idol Zuma. When he was the lame duck president Motlanthe refused to agree to an enquiry into the corrupt arms deal and it was he that forced out Pikoli. The fact is that this government under the machine gun whiner Zuma is the most corrupt in the history of South Africa. This, in my opinion, is because Zuma himself got away with facing in court the hundreds of allegations of corruption and fraud. He is an embarrassment to South Africa and should never have become a president of South Africa. Those that work in government are obviously of the opinion that if Zuma can get away with criminal allegations, why not me. While Zuma is at the helm, corruption will prevail in South Africa.
Deputy President Motlanthe should get his own house in order first. Yes teach the kids that it is wrong to steal, but if they see that justice is not being served to those that do get caught, whets the point. (Steal & don’t get caught!) You would also have to include the police in these classes as they are the most corrupt. As Dukie said Zuma should never have become president, SA is a joke to the rest of the world. Has there ever been an un-corrupt black leader in Africa?
Die appels val nie ver van die boom nie. Juju lyk nes die Pa en die Ma. Skeeloog en vraatjies en al. Ook die stink reuk. Gin plastiese sjururgie kan help.
Typical of African mentallity. They have a problem but rather than fixing it, eish it is to much thinking, planning and effort, lets start something new. People will talk about the new plan and forget about the problem. If people do not hink about the problem then we have no problem. Hey wena, get with it.
We are part of the problem, society at large, this is situational from an individual level, many people for example, would rather pay a bribe than face a traffic fine…with the aarto, this might tripple…so the list of exposed areas grows from sector to sector…Montlanthe’s initiative have some merit…we need to support it to make it work…its our baby as South African.
We will never fix corruption in our country when our leader get away with corruption. Re-open his corruption case and send him to jail so SA can start the healing process.
Super Markets….. Rip Off.
There is a real need to have a Government authority, walking through a Super Market making notes of of the prices of goods on the shelves. Then have the authority to investigate the Store’s books, revealing the actual cost of those articles to the Supermarket.
Should management complain, they may be informed that the Store has the right to continue with their inflated prices, BUT to read the Newspapers the following day, which will show the customers, the exact cost to the Supermarket and what they are selling it at. This will give the Public an idea where to shop and how much they are being ripped off by the particular store. The Public may then respond by going elsewhere.
Once you’ve tasted the honey, there is no turning back.
Corruption is an accessory to life in Mzansi or any country for that matter. When the likes of Malema praise Mugabe its not a matter of principle but admiration and an expression of greed at Mugabe’s gains from theft. When they croon nationalise! they mean “we also want to be rich!!” The call for nationalisation stems from Greed . Nobody cares about the poor nor ever will. The mooted press law leaves no doubt as to the value of corruption to to those in power. Lastlty speed traps are not enforcement but a money spinning tool for government. Why are so many people dead lately what have the speed traps done? Those officers should be doing active effective traffic policing rather than sitting on their bums doing nothing playing cashier ineffectively while people are dying. Those who understand the value rather the uselessness of these speedtraps will pay the bribe and move on!
The corruption problem is never going to go away until Civil Society take a stand. We have to hold corrupt officials accountantable and maybe we should be standing on street corners with plackards naming and shaming. The old Black Sash were a force in civil society and did make a difference so perhaps it is time we reverted back to passive resistance and by so doing raise peoples awareness because this is a scourge and will eventually effect us all. If we allow this to continue we are in effect condoning their behaviour. Did we not learn anything from the past? The previous regime were equally guilty of corruption. All politicians need to be kept in check. They are by definition dishonest and should be carefully watched. If you give anyone power they will become corrupt if they are not watched.
Teaching ethics in school is a lovely idea but is only a small part of what needs to be done. Children who have nothing and see dishonest and lying public figures profiting will not heed any ethics taught. We teach by example and the example at the moment is far from ethical.
Well, to put things straight, when I was at college, being a member of the SRC, we exposed to government corruption at a highest level and we knew exactly how to get away with it. Corruption in the government is very high, not only the one we see in the news and on papers, there is an invisible corruption going on every day and it is causing a lot of damage than you can imagine.
I was once given a blank signed cheque from government after I made a requisition for funding a certain project. the official concerned later phoned me on how to deal with such cheques, how they got it is still puzzling. so can you imagine how many of those things go unnoticed and how much money is involved there.
corruption at the lowest level of government is more proffesional than you can imagine because it is actually done by very educated people who know what they are doing unlike at the top level were it is done by politicians who have never been to school. ask me I did it once. I was not even working for the government when I did it, now I need a job in one of this departments, and it doesn’t have to be a top job. I will show you how to do it.
What are we all complaining about. Those who were in the forefront of the struggle deserve some reward and corruption seems to be the only way to do it.
Zuma has just appointed his own chief justice in Moegoe Moegoe. Why. Guess who is going to be bought when the armsgate case hits the courts next year just before we all go to the polls and vote for another clown for the next few years.
@Daffy
I agree with Daffy, there is no turning back – things will just get progressively worse – watch was is going to happen to JuJu’s disiplinary hearing this morning – swept under the carpet & beware of him!!! Thank goodness I have a way out of this country!!!
If Kgalema Motlhante were truly serious about his suggestion he would surely have done it the Anna Hazare way and not suggested that a truly ineffective person (note: no actual allegation of corruption here) like Angie Motshekga take on the responsibility of educating our youth (hah!!!) about ethics.
No – the only way the children of this nation will learn true ethical values is when their parents demonstrate their own values by
a – opening their own eyes to the corruption around them
b – opening their mouths about that corruption and
c – opening their hearts to more honest politicos (or is that less corrupt politicos?)
because children learn best what they learn at home.
Unfortunately the current leadership seems to have learned that “I come first and the devil with the hindmost” was the path to happiness. I wonder if this is the message they pass on to their own children whilst condemning the corruption of which they all seem to be a part.
One wonders if employing corrupt practices is the only way to get a national stage in South Africa.
The major problem is that people look for short term solutions and end up being involved in corruption as a result. The solution shud not b based on short sightedness; sending people to jail is neccesarily not a solution s there’s no sufficient proof that people gets rehabilitated in jails. Obviously they do enuff to survive and b in good standing with the officials, get parole then go home to start where they left off. Teaching morals from n early age will b a solution. Also if all people share & participate in our economy fairly without it being reserved to card carryin members of the ruling party we will most definately se results that will last.
I cant answer any of the questions in the Poll. I personally have never been asked for a bribe but know of many people who have. I am not happy about the situation as I feel it has a lot of room for improvement
There are only two ways to beat corruption. Bring back hard labour and the lash.
We need people to develop a conscience and believe in God.Teaching of Evolution should be done as a RELIGION and not as a fact let alone a hypothisis.
I do think every one in South Africa in clude the Leaders who must be a roll model for the youngsters must ask themselfs are they honest with themself and the all the other people around them. Do they have dignaty and ethics in there self. If you do have it then you would stay away from corruption and greedy. The Church must start to take themself out of politics and teach the children and every persone what the Bible tell you about morals. This is why the children and youngstes from to day believe what they done are correct because our leaders, churches and we as parents do this. They read, hear and see it. WAKE UP SOUTH AFRICA LOOK ARROUND YOU
kgalema motlante is one of those leaders who have good ideas but one wonders if they can implement it.ANC if full of ideas which lacks implementation,thats one wonders if it has run out of leadership candidates.If this marry go round of leadership leadership doesn’t end we wont go no where,we need new leaders,not even from the mind corrupted youth league.I responded last on pre election opinionn article on these website that DA feed on ANC’s sepsis.In other words this does not create a grip of the opposition against the ANC,it creates the grip of a fed-up public against the government.South African need the best out of developing country,we are just at +/-50 000 000 in numbers but the health,education,social status etc seem to be deteriorating.I’ve been working in government for more than 10 years,but let me tell you’the government’s provision to public services sucks.I’m saying this solely for the love of my beautiful country,and don’t want this country to deteriorate further.Corruption wiil bring our country to its knees.
……….For from the HEART come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying and slander. (Matthew 15:16-19).
Corrupt South Africans need a spiritual heart transplant!!
Africa has for centuries been the roost of all the demons who aren’t in hell and demons manifest through people. Hence all the violence an corruption.
Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. I rest my case.
@outside Africa, I like the way you think, we need GOD in our lives again, too many people have forgotten about HIM.
This country would not be corruption-free for so long as it is ruled by politicians when we have schooled people who can do best. bilif it or not most politicians never saw the inside wall of a classroom but are manning big offices…you tel me how & why?
@lux @ Daffy @outside@ a-maize-ingly-corny – too true
@ Garth – LOL
The comments this week have been few, I wonder where MZU is outside Luthuli House? (& no this is not a personal attack on you)
Comments are few i think because corruption is rife, and has always been rife, i think its the nature of politicians, only a handlefulll get ellected by the people that actually are dedicated or commited to make a positive change for the people who elected them, the rest are like the rest of humanity, to make as much money as possible irrespective of who the step or trample on to get there..this will never change when the half the nature of humanity is to nuture and the other halfs nature is greed and selfishness. I dare you to go to any country and prove the corruption isnt rife.
@ spiritwolf – define “rife”
wikipedia:
rife/r?f/Adjective: (esp. of something undesirable or harmful) Of common occurrence; widespread.
Adverb: In an unchecked or widespread manner
Comments are few because many of the usual suspects have been singing outside Luthuli house in support of Fatboy and his fried chicken eaters.
It appears that they now want to get rid of the man who not so long ago they were willing to kill for.
@ spiritwolf – you miss my point – in your post how rife is rife?
i think you missed the point of my post, wtf cares how rife? its RIFE!!
oh well, guess the rest of what i said was entirely lost, i guess confusion is RIFE everywhere…
@ Jen please mind your own business. Corruption is a disease that is not new in South Africa. It has been around for centuries, wonder who its pioneers are.
i blame the greedy zulus that came and took the Koi lands…oh wait, thats not what you meant was it Mzu, im sensing its a white / black thing, not a black / black thing right?? rightttttttttt
I did not mention any colour there but if you want me too I can. Also who are the corruptors of the corrupt should be given some thought too.
Corruption runs in one direction, that is from top to bottom. Reminds me of the definition of a ‘jail’ in a corrupt society. … it is a place where BIG criminals keep small criminals.
The whole world is run by criminals Tauraj.
What happened Fatboy’s hearing has moved so Mzu is back.
I was never told this is a whites only blog Garth so leave me alone. Ask that stupid question to your British or Jewish brothers.
What in tarnation (Mzu – that’s an Americanism) has Garth’s question about Mzu being back have anything to do with British or Jewish ‘brothers’ ?
And why is the question STUPID ?
There are only two kinds of stupid – stupid people who don’t ask questions and stupid people who can’t see the point of a question – like a certain correspondent in this blog – to name him (and, yes, he has said that he is a man) would be superfluous.
Oh here we go again. Guess what? I’m not interested in debating with disgruntled whites.
@ Mzu – who said that I am “white”?
AND – far from being disgruntled, I am VERY gruntled.
By the way that does not mean that I am led by a ‘grunt’
Corny I don’t care if you’re coloured or Indian, one thing I’m sure of is you’re not black so please debate the topic not me. I have seen that you people do not care about the topic and the facts but you are just stupid whites who turn pink everytime truth has been told.
@ Mzu
“please debate the topic” is what you just said. Not one of your comments – and there are several – has been “on the topic”; each and every one has been a comment on someone else or on some “other” “race”.
Get REAL and follow your own advice – for if you cannot, then YOU cannot expect OTHERS to give your advice the respect it may, otherwise, deserve.
@a-maize-ingly-corny – we should have a “like” or “unlike” tab on this blog, your comment gets my “like”
Thanks for the lecture Corny.
This subject just seems to go on and on, no matter what other topic Wonkie gives us! Every so often someone goes off the beaten track, but hey, I am really enjoying it. Go for it guys make my day
Dear Daffy, just to let you know that Mzu is a 60 something white lady who uses any excuse to stir shit, she therefore masquerades as juvenile delinquent supporter of Fatboy who wants some of his tenderpreneur rands. It is solely for this reason that this subject has gone on so long
You’re more intelligent than I thought Garth. Or you are so stupid that you didn’t even pass your matric.
I should have known that the “lecture” wouldn’t work – perhaps the “thanks” was a snide jab ???
Did you think I would lisen to your crap in your right mind?
Hi Mzu.
It is not necessary to be intelligent to pass matric. It is necessary to commit yourself to passing and do all the work.. It is stupid to think that you have a right to pass matric without any effort such a Fatboy and his fellow travellers believe. It is this problem that is screwing our education system, a bunch of ignorant yahoos who want it all without effort. I might add that I did pass woodwork. Instead of messing about prescribing economic policy which Fatboy cannot understand, The ANCYL should be marching for more and better teachers, for better skills training and the removal of ineffective principals who were put there by political friends and who cannot run a piss up in a brewery never mind running a schoola school.
It is rather very clear that the only change that can come into the country will be through our youth as the current governemnt has time and time again proven that it does not have the ability to eradicate corruption. It is then depressing to see the youth president also acting like an idiot. It all seems really dark and gloomy in our coutry
The ex-MK are niglected by top dogs after all the sacrifice they have committed this country. What do you except from the corrupt leaders? Zero.
CORRUPT PEOPLE ARE DIVERTING STATE AND SEMI STATE FUNDS FROM THE ORDINARY CITIZENS AND PARTICULARLY THE POOR TO BENEFIT THEMSELVES AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THIS IS A WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON. IT IS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. IT EMBRACES THE CRIMES OF CORRUPTION – FRAUD – THEFT BY FALSE PRETENCES AND THEFT. WHAT MAKES THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WORSE IS THE WAY THEY FLAUNT THEIR POWER AND ILL GOTTEN RICHES AND LIFESTYLES. IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT TAX AUTHORITIES WORLDWIDE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. PEOPLE WHO COMMIT THESE HEINOUS ACTIONS AGAINST THEIR COMMUNITIES AND ESPECIALLY THE POOR HAVE NO SHAME. THEY FLAUNT THEIR ILL GOTTEN GAINS FOR ALL TO SEE. THIS ATTITUDE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE UPRISINGS WORLDWIDE. THE PEOPLE HAVE TOLERANCE LEVELS BEYOND WHICH THEY REACT AND THEIR REACTIONS HAVE AND ARE CURRENTLY CHANGING GOVERNMENTS AND DICTATORS. THESE REACTIONS ARE VIVIDLY DEPICTED BY THE WORLD MEDIA. WHEN SOME OPPRESSED COMMUNITIES ARE SUBJECTED TO THESE ABOMINABLE ACTS THEY RESORT TO VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS AND WREAK HAVOC AND DESTRUCTION OF FACILITIES AND PEOPLE IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHO WATCH THE UPRISINGS IN TELEVISION AND READ ABOUT IT IN THE PRINTED MEDIA REACT IN SIMILAR FASHION.
WHAT OUT LEADERS WORLDWIDE NEED TO PRACTICE IS TOLERANCE AND MERIT SELECTION BASED ON HONESTY, CIVILITY AND COMPETENCE. STOP THE HATE AND PROMOTE LOVE BECAUSE AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE WE ARE ALL ANCESTRAL BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ORIGINATE FROM THE SAME CORE GROUP THIS IS ONE FACT THAT BOTH THE CREATIONISTS AND THE EVOLUTIONISTS ARE AGREED ON.
GO WELL MY ANCESTRAL BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE AND ELIMINATE THE NEGATIVE.
SIDNEY COAD WILLIAMS
HEALTH AND PEACE ACTIVIST
HERE IS A RECIPE TO SAVE OUR WORLD AND ALL IT’S PEOPLES. APPLY IT NOW TO PREVENT GLOBAL CONSEQUENCES.
THE THREATS ARE GLOBAL WARMING AND OVER POPULATION OF OUR EARTH.
EACH PERSON HAS A CARBON FOOTPRINT THUS IT IS REASONABLE TO BELIEVE THAT THE GREATER THE WORLD POPULATION THE GREATER THE THREAT FROM GLOBAL WARMING. RUDIMENTARY MY DEAR ANCESTRAL BROTHERS AND SISTERS. BEFORE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION THERE WAS MINIMAL CARBON DIOXIDE POLLUTION BECAUSE THERE WERE NO FACTORIES, ELECTRICITY, MOTOR VEHICLES. AFTER THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION CARBON EMISSIONS THE CAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING ACCELERATED. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY FORESTS AND OTHER FLORA WERE DESTROYED. TREES AND OTHER FLORA ABSORB CARBON DIOXIDE AND GIVE OFF OXYGEN. WE MUST CURB OVER POPULATION TO REDUCE CARBON FOOTPRINTS. WE MUST PLANT TREES AND OTHER VEGETATION. WE MUST USE GREEN ENERGY SUCH AS HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER WHERE POSSIBLE, WIND POWER BY WIND DRIVEN TURBINES, SOLAR POWER. FUTURE MOTOR VEHICLES MUST BE POWERED BY BATTERIES. WE MUST ADDRESS THE OVER POPULATION ISSUE BECAUSE EACH PERSON HAS A CARBON FOOTPRINT. SOME HAVE LARGER CARBON FOOTPRINTS THAN OTHERS.
SIDNEY COAD WILLIAMS
HEALTH AND PEACE ACTIVIST.
TO STABILIZE OUR POPULATION GROWTH LET US LIMIT OUR CHILDREN TO ONE PER FAMILY. WHEN WE HAVE A STABLE SITUATION GOVERNMENTS CAN MEET TO DISCUSS LIMITING CHILDREN TO TWO PER FAMILY. EXCESSIVE POPULATION GROWTH IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING BECAUSE EACH PERSON HAS A CARBON FOOTPRINT. ELEMENTARY IS IT NOT????
@COAD. What you are saying is elementary school knowledge taught to us in grade one. (Was your teacher also Miss Cooper). Unfortunately it does not work in any society where freedom of choice is practised, where most people want the rewards of modernisation and in a capitalist society. What i effect you are advocating is Maoist Communism that will have us all tilling rice.
Check out these wise words !!!!
You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The Government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they worked for, that my dear friends is about the end of any nation. You cannor multiply wealth by dividing it !!!