South African Politicians Accused of Mastery in Corruption & Cronyism

Karam Singh, the executive director of Corruption Watch, recently claimed that some South African politicians have 'mastered the art of corruption'. He considers the current laws and regulatory frameworks as enablers to illicit activities and cronyism.

Singh shared these insights with 702, intending to shed light on the endemic corruption within government sectors, fuelled by systemic cronyism. He cited the country's procurement system as a prime example, explaining that bids can be pursued by companies without disclosing their beneficial owners. This opacity opens doors for government-connected individuals, their families, and friends to derive undue benefits.

"We have been emphasizing the urgent need for a transparent public procurement system to identify loopholes early on," Singh conveyed. Despite tightening regulations, he believes corrupt individuals have become adept at concealing illicit activities.

He further emphasized on the extension of definitions, like 'politically exposed persons' to include close acquaintances and family members of government officials, restricting their business engagement with the government.

Providing an example, Singh alluded to a situation involving President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm. The President is suspected of violating the Constitution regarding the burglary of foreign currency kept in a sofa at Phala Phala. This instance was noted by Singh as indicative of the issues surfacing when high-ranking officials partake in problematic business practices.

An independent anti-corruption agency and strict lifestyle audits, especially for senior government officials, might be viable solutions to curb corruption, suggested Singh. He stressed that comprehension and acceptance of public service trade-offs are vital for potential government workers.