S. African gov’t to leave no stone unturned in uprooting corruption: minister

   CAPE TOWN, Dec. 9  -- The South African government will leave no stone unturned in uprooting corruption in the country, Minister for Public Service and Administration, Senzo Mchunu said on Monday.
   "We are so determined to ensure that we fight corruption with all our resources and might," Mchunu said in remarks commemorating the International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD), which is celebrated annually on December 9 in recognition of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).
   "The commemoration of IACD takes place at an appropriate time in our country as we are recommitting ourselves to fighting corruption, which is fast becoming one of the impediments to our march towards consolidating and basking in the glory brought about by democracy in 1994," Mchunu said.
   According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2018, South Africa scored 43 points out of 100 in terms of public sector corruption, with 0 indicating highly corrupt and 100 very clean.
   "This is very worrying" and necessitates the country to improve its standing globally, Mchunu said.
   There has been an outcry among South Africans that nothing is being done to uproot corruption.
   "As a people-centered government, we cannot ignore such perceptions," Mchunu said.
   He assured the public that "a lot is being done and results thereof will soon be visible as most of the investigations currently happening will be put on the court roll."
   "Already we are beginning to see some arrests and prosecutions, including that of people holding senior positions in government," said the minister.
   Fighting corruption is not an easy task, as those who are beneficiaries are also fighting back and will do anything possible to ensure that they do not account for their actions, he said.
   Sometimes whistleblowers are victimized, with some losing their jobs, business contracts and, in certain instances, their lives, according to the minister.
   "However, we should not be deterred, but form a united front, working with law enforcement agencies," Mchunu said.
   The reality of the matter is that fighting corruption is one of the most daunting tasks, as it manifests itself in different forms, and therefore entails a dynamic and continuous approach, said Mchunu.
   "We also need to support coordination between government, business and civil society efforts to reduce corruption and improve accountability and ethical practice," he said.  Xinhau