Widespread corruption places additional burdens on South African individuals and organistions, and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) has urged all stakeholders to work on putting an end to corrupt practices.
SACCI CEO Neren Rau comments: “The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) is highly concerned about the high level of corruption, according to the latest Global Corruption Barometer from Transparency International.
“The survey finds that between 40% and 50% of South Africans have paid a bribe over the past year. This puts South Africa at roughly twice the global average of around 25%. Bribery and corruption erodes the very foundation of society, and dampens economic growth and job creation,” he says.
“Bribery has at its root a manifestation of weak institutions: service delivery failure; incompetent officials; and poor public service accountability incentivise private persons to bribe officials,” Rau adds.
“Roadside bribery would, for example, not be an issue if motorists were sure of proper treatment by authorities, regardless of their innocence or guilt, and if officials knew they would be held accountable for their actions.”
Bribery is not only an additional cost to the economy, but also an additional tax on the private sector, he says – and the most vulnerable members of society are often the most exposed.
“The South African business community has a significant interest in eliminating bribery in all its forms because it is wasteful, distorts the market and represents a loss of economic value to society.
“SACCI calls on all stakeholders to crack down on corruption on every level for the sake of social cohesion and economic growth. Legitimate and existing institutions need to be strengthened to resist corrupt practices.”