Conclusions and Recommendations - 3rd SAAPAM LIMPOPO CHAPTER Annual Conference

contraband, 83 members of parliament (MPs) pleaded guilty, 1 891 arrests were made and 1 305 investigations were finalised, making this one of the biggest, if not the biggest, corruption scandal in South African history (Sipho, 2009: 123-175). The scandal cost the taxpayer R26 million. Most MPs were from the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC). Under President Zuma’s leadership the ANC decided to halt the parliamentary investigation (Sipho, 2009: 213-214). This scandal caused unhappiness in the leadership of the ANC, because many MPs benefited from their connection with the contraband syndicates. The scandals of corruption and organised crime are not limited to contraband. International criminal groups such as the Italian, Indian, Israeli, Russian and Triad (Chinese) mafia are attracted to the protective climate or culture of systemic corruption. South Africa provides a “safe haven” for these mafias to operate with political and police protection. South Africa is perceived as a penetrated state (Sipho, 2009: 123-175).

The nexus of systemic corruption, local organised crime, transnational organised crime and globalisation entails not only interconnectedness, but also interrelatedness and an interdependence. TCOs operational in drugs, prostitution and human trafficking are also contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS. These syndicates, especially those that operate in states that have been penetrated and where systemic corruption is pervasive, entice poor and/or vulnerable women and children with very limited hope of a better future into prostitution and drugs. Such syndicates exploit the powerlessness of such women and children to make them dependent on these unsustainable and illegal activities that contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The next section provides conclusions and recommendations of the corruption metaphors and the nexus between system corruption and organised crime.

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THE POLITICAL-ECONOMY OF CORRUPTION IN THE POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA T. Masipa University of Limpopo, South Africa Abstract

Despite efforts taken to combat corruption in every sphere of government, corruption remains one of the biggest challenges the South African government is faced with. It is with no doubt that the problem of corruption has captured the interest of the media and the public in general. The purpose of this paper was an attempt to extend discussion and deepen the knowledge of the meaning and nature of corruption and its effects in the post-apartheid South Africa. From the information and evidence gathered, the author of this paper maintains the fact corruption should be regard as threat to any nation as it delays the process of sustainable development. The government should therefore introduce radical policies to eradicate corruption in all sectors of the economy and since corruption is a relationship of “give and take”, both the giver and the receiver must be prosecuted. However, the struggle against corruption requires a collective efforts and a broader commitment from communities, business sectors and the public in general to fight corruption. Once this commitment is achieved, there is no doubt that the battle against corruption can be won.

Keywords: Political-economy; Corruption; Post-apartheid; South Africa

1. Introduction

Commitment to good and clean governance, and thus anti-corruption is still one of the main priorities of the democratic South Africa and its governance since 1994. The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC, 2011) reported that despite progress made, corruption remains one of the biggest challenges the South African government is faced with. Reports of corruption in almost every sphere of government are increasing drastically, (Corruption Perception Index, 2012). Since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, some people within the public, started to view corruption as a new crisis that began to torment South Africa only since 1994, some even think that the ruling party (the ANC) led the country to the most shocking corrupt state. However, to assume and think that the ANC has corrupted a once “corrupt free state” is wrong and misleading. It is important to acknowledge that before 1994, much of the foundation of the South African state was ethically and legally corrupt. Apartheid itself was declared a crime against humanity by the United Nations. This implies that corruption existed both in colonial and post-colonial South Africa and therefore should not be regarded as a new phenomenon. Lodge, (2001) acknowledged that to recognise the role of the South African history in understanding current forms of corruption is not to accept defeat but it helps to deepen our understanding of the nature of the problem the country is faced with. It then goes without a say that corruption must be dealt with, in a holistic manner, as a matter of urgency.

Although this is an area that needs further research, it is important to acknowledge that corruption does have negative effects on the economy and the way the public see and interact with the government and this may in turn lead to a loss of confidence by general public to state.

Due its secretive nature, it has become more difficult than ever before to deal with corruption in South Africa or elsewhere in the world. According to Kaufmann (2004), what makes it more difficult to reduce corruption is that corrupt people are not homogenous and the policy of eradicating corruption might fail if it fails to take into account the differences within the ranks of the corrupt people. All these issues are difficult enough for any government to come with the best policy to solve the issue of corruption. It is however important to note that the purpose of the paper is not an attempt to undermine collective efforts taken by the government to reduce corruption. It is rather an attempt to extend discussion and debate around the issues of corruption in South Africa. To this end, the paper is therefore an attempt to raise awareness and understanding on the problem of corruption. More importantly, it is a step towards securing transparency and accountability on part of public functionaries. The paper seeks to shed some light on the issues of corruption in South Africa and by so doing, the paper seeks to address the following questions: what is the nature of corruption in South Africa? What are the costs of corruption in a democratic society? Answers to these questions will provide a clear view to fully understand corruption and its consequences on the post- apartheid South Africa.

Dalam dokumen 3rd SAAPAM LIMPOPO CHAPTER Annual Conference (Halaman 99-103)