Corruption remains a challenge with detrimental impacts on ordinary South Africans, especially the youth, by driving unemployment, blocking opportunities, hindering service delivery, deterring investment, and eroding trust in state institutions.
These were among the sentiments expressed by youth and Public Service and Administration Minister, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, as the world on Monday marked International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity”.
Speaking at the International Anti-Corruption Day in Johannesburg, Buthelezi said: “Corruption is not only a scourge that threatens the very fabric of our democracy and the future of our nation...it is an administrative failure.
It has been established that corruption is a global pandemic that slowly tackles the economic machinery of each country – exacerbating inequalities, eroding public trust and totally undermining the rule of law.
“Corruption also distorts markets and hurts the poorest and the most vulnerable groups of society by disproportionately diverting funds intended for development and thus undermining our ability to provide basic services such as healthcare and education.”
Citing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), he added that collective efforts were needed to turn the tide.
“Active citizenry (is the) heartbeat of accountability because citizens should be the custodians of democracy and vital agents of accountability and reform. As government, we therefore call upon all sectors of society to join this fight because the cancer of corruption always festers when vigilance wanes,” the minister said.
National Coloured Congress (NCC) youth leader, Joseph Jacobs said the effects of corruption were visible in communities and felt severely by young people.
“If you look at the unemployment rate, the majority are those between the age of 18 and 35. That in itself tells you government is not doing enough to stop corruption. We still have the same politicians occupying positions instead of having fresh young minds that can relate to the youth. Young minds that can help fight corruption.
When we look at the integrity of our government and our leaders, we often discover that their actions, taken when no one was watching, were far from honourable,” said Jacobs.
Policy analyst Nkosikhulule Nyembezi said voters expect a government to tackle problems, not lament them.
“How to address systemic corruption harms in our society is one of the big policy questions facing the government and social partners nationwide.
Alongside regulation, leaders must improve public awareness through civic education so that people are better equipped to recognise when they are being manipulated and adopt zero tolerance towards corruption. South Africa’s corruption problem is structural, not casual.
“Each day brings intimations of another planned looting of public resources.
“Many corrupt politicians in government do not believe in accountability, transparency, or even plain honesty. Their agenda amounts to nothing less than a repurposing of the government for political and personal ends, starting with a purge of perceived foes by eviscerated and neutered public investigation and prosecution institutions. Democracy in South Africa, that shining city upon a hill, is in peril,” Nyembezi said.
Cape Times