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Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty

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Newsletter 99-Whistle-blowing for accountability-26 November 2010

The anonymous and discreet reporting of corruption and misconduct of public servants has resulted in some 235 officials being found guilty. This was made possible by the National Anti-Corruption Hotline (NACH).

Established in September 2004,the National Anti-Corruption Hotline (NACH) is  operated by the Public Service Commission (PSC). This hotline provides members of the public as well as public servants with a mechanism to report allegations of corruption in the public service. This can be done through the toll-free number on 0800 701 701, which operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

On 19th November, President Jacob Zuma responded to a parliamentary question and said that to date the hotline had achieved the following:
 
  • Some 235 officials had been found guilty;
  • Of them, 120 had been given final written warnings;
  • 35 were still on suspension ; and
  • 80 had been dismissed
 
In addition R100 million had been recovered.
 
Furthermore, the Special Investigating Unit is investigating allegations of corruption in several departments and municipalities. The departments currently under investigation are:
  •  (National) Department of Human Settlements;
  •  (National) Department of Public Works;
  • Department of Arts and Culture;
  • Department of Education in the Eastern Cape; and
  • Department of Health in Gauteng.
 
Government agencies under investigation are:
  • South African Social Security Agency;
  • South African Broadcasting Corporation; and
  • South African Police Service.
 
The City of Tshwane (Pretoria) and the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality (East Rand) are the two municipalities which have recently been added to the investigation list.
 
There have been numerous reports on the infectiveness and inefficiency of the hotline. However, given the results above, it can be argued that the hotline has had some positive outcomes. In this respect, the hotline has the ability to act as an effective mechanism for curbing corruption.
 
- Nachi Majoe

 

by nmajoe — last modified 2010-11-26 12:40
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