23 Nov 2015

Corruption plays a key role in crippling and downfall of countries ‘economy, says the chief anti-corruption officer of Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) Ms Mophutholodi Molatudi.

Speaking at the launch of the South East District Council (SEDC) Corruption Prevention Committee on Wednesday in Ramotswa, she said practises like bureaucracy, poor work ethic and poor supervision my serve as a platform for corruption.

She said human resource is the most critical resource in driving the economy of the country and at the same time it is this very resource that can damage the country. Ms Molatudi said that corruption comes in many phases and once it takes route it is extremely difficult to eradicate.

She said in most cases, corruption is likened to deadly diseases like cancer or even liked to veld fires hence it is vital to prevent than to try and eradicate it.

Ms Molatudi commended the SEDC Corruption Prevention Committee for their achievement thus far including, conducting a corruption risk assessment, conducting training for CPC members, sensitizing most of their staff, developing and now implementing and maintaining a gift register and enforcing the use of declaration of interest forms.

The SEDC has conducted a corruption risk and Ms Molatudi said she hopes the council will soon be implementing its findings. She said by doing so, the council will be contributing towards improving the processes for the entire public service.

She also said that this will give the council the opportunity to introspect on the quality of the processes and procedures they develop for the public for now and the future. Ms Molatudi encouraged those present to step up and fight corruption.

The SEDC Corruption Prevention Committee launch objectives included implementation of the CPC plan and encouraging teamwork. The CPC also unveiled their publicity material at the event.

Members of the committee urged the public to use the toll free number written on the posters to report any case of corruption. Ends