The Role of Government in combating corruption

On this page we discuss the role of government in combating corruption in South Africa.

The Role of Government

The government has a huge role to play in terms of combating corruption. The government can:

• create laws and policies that prevent corruption activities
• punish intensely and publicly corruption-related behaviours
• lead by example in order to set a culture that encourages honesty, transparency, and a people-first approach, in the matter of public service delivery.

What the South African Government is doing to combat corruption

Due to the worrying levels of corruption in a country, the South African government came up with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy to combat corruption in a much more sustainable manner. National Anti-Corruption Strategy provides a framework and action plan for the country as a whole and seeks to create a society in which:

• The government’s administrative and procurement processes are reinforced to allow for greater monitoring, accountability, and transparency.
• The public is educated about what constitutes corruption and empowered to respond when or where it is noted.
• The public and whistleblowers are encouraged to report corruption, and are supported and adequately protected when doing so.
• Public officials are held accountable for service delivery or the lack thereof.
• The business sector and civil society organisations operate in a values-driven manner and are held accountable for corrupt practices.
• There is a culture of zero tolerance toward corruption in any sector and full accountability for those involved in corruption.

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