Significant strides made
OVER the last few years, we have seen an increase in corrupt behaviour manifesting across all sectors of society.
Media, on a global scale, is saturated with stories of corruption ranging from statesmen to sportsmen. We have witnessed the increase of collusion in the private sector, as well as the continuous threat against those brave enough to expose graft and blow the whistle.
In our own country, we have also watched how the abuse of power and misuse of public funds can compromise a young democracy. It is for this reason that the founding members of Corruption Watch realised the need for an anti-corruption watchdog that would be free from political and business interference and become a loud-hailer for the people.
When we opened our doors five years ago, we knew that that the task ahead would not be an easy one – but with the dedication and commitment of our small team, as well as the support that we received from the media and select groups within the public and private sector, we have made significant strides in the field of anti-corruption.
From engaging in legal matters and making policy submissions, to our mobilisation campaigns and capacity-building workshops at a grassroots level – it has been a busy but fruitful five years for our corruption busters.
But the real heroes of our story are the courageous 15 000 people who have reported corruption to us. We celebrate whistle-blowers who have risked their reputations and jobs like gogo Mavis* who travelled close to 500km from Kimberley to Joburg to report a case of corruption in her community, and mam Sarah* who compromised her position on a school governing body to expose graft at a secondary school in Soweto.
We also acknowledge people like Marthe Bikuelo, a refugee who reported a case of bribery at the Home Affairs Department in Marabastad, Pretoria,and has been continually victimised and harassed for her assistance in helping us highlight the plight of foreign nationals seeking asylum.
Courageous
These are only a few examples of the courageous, but difficult, journeys that our whistle-blowers had to travel when facing corruption.
They are key to the work that we do at Corruption Watch. They enable us to speak with the authority of the public and to amplify the experiences of the ordinary members of our community. In so doing, our whistle-blowers have assisted in strengthening our constitutional democracy and in ensuring that public resources are deployed in the public interest.
We are also overwhelmed by the support we receive from the public. Many people might not have a case of corruption to report to us, but still express interest in our movement. We are grateful to all those that have shared the fruits of our work across all social networks, have engaged with us and joined our mobilisation campaigns, as well as the donations that we have received in their biggest or smallest forms. We are thankful. It is through this support that we can continue with our work for the next few years to come and provide a key service to the people of this country.
Last year was a politically charged year. Brexit, the Trump presidency and our ruling party losing three major metropolitan cities in the local government elections are all examples of the growing dissatisfaction of the general public who are seeking change from the current state of leadership.
In South Africa, we watched as the Constitutional Court handed down a judgment stating that President Jacob Zuma had violated the very same constitution that he is mandated to protect.
Desecration
We also observed the shenanigans at Sars and the desecration of the National Prosecuting Authority.
Last year, we learned how our state – one that thousands fought for so that it could one day be free and belong to all who live in it – was captured by a few politically powerful individuals and their business cronies.
The run-up to the 2019 elections will be challenging on all fronts, and as a country we have to stand by the founding principles of our democracy. We need to remember that our democracy does not end at the ballot box, but that the publicmust be actively engaged and participate in all levels of government in order to hold our elected representatives, public officials, representatives of churches, sports bodies, civil society and the private sector to account.
We need to become more vigilant and protect the institutions that support constitutional democracy in South Africa.
It is also time to remind our leaders about the values of our Freedom Charter and to reclaim our public institutions so that they do not belong to only a few.
The years ahead might be tougher than the ones before, but organisations like Corruption Watch and other civil society movements are critical in demanding transparency and accountability from our leaders and highlighting the struggles of our people. I encourage you to support these organisations as we build a South Africa that is free from inequality, poverty and corruption. MAVUSO MSIMANG
Corruption Watch