13 Dec 2016

Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) advises the public servant to consider the ethical issues involved when receiving offers of gifts or benefit as this time of the year these offers are common.

According to a press release from DCEC, the main risk of accepting a gift or benefit is that it may result in an actual or perceived conflict of interest, which is an offence under the Corruption and Economic Crime Act.

The release states that it is important that the public servants do not undermine the trust bestowed upon them by the nation, adding that in some instances accepting even minor benefits may be construed as undermining the public confidence.

Among others, a gift or benefit may include offers of cash or shares, big promotional materials including clothing, compact discs or DVDs, sponsored travel, meals or other hospitality and free or discounted places on training and development courses.

The release says employees should politely decline the offers and where it is difficult to decline, they should declare them to the appropriate authorities.

“Your continued support in the fight against corruption will forever be leverage in steering this country towards a corruption free society,” so reads the statement in emphasis of the citizen’s responsibility to help fight corruption. ENDS