Screws tighten on corruption

THOSE who have looted the state through illegal tenders or by benefiting from bribes will feel the tightening of the screws as the number of state initiatives aimed at combating corruption get under way.

The Zondo commission of inquiry has already painted a picture of the malfeasance that has taken place over more than a decade.

Sunday’s announcement by the Presidency that Cyril Ramaphosa has assembled a team of heavy hitting judges to be part a special tribunal to fast-track the finalisation of matters that the Special Investigating Unit refers for civil litigation following the conclusion of their investigations should concern those who have benefited from corrupt activities.

In the next few months, Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu’s office will get more teeth to deal with public servants who waste billions of rand in fruitless expenditure.

There is also now a new head of the NPA to take on corruption cases that have been sitting on the shelf for more than a decade.

The cost of corruption is high. In 2017, Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel said the gross domestic product lost around R27 billion to corruption annually, with over 70 000 jobs lost in the process.

But for all of these anti-corruption initiatives to work those who have stolen state funds, including those in the private sector, must have their day in court. When it comes to corruption, actions speak louder than words