Ramaphosa: South Africa’s growth hampered by corruption – My Comments
Corruption is one of the greatest impediments to South Africa’s growth and development, President Cyril Ramaphosa said late Thursday, vowing to take action against the vice.
Delivering his State of the Nation address to a joint sitting of the houses of parliament, Ramaphosa said revelations made at a commission of inquiry probing graft laid bare the extent of state capture and related corruption.
State capture is a form of corruption where businesses tend to influence politicians to take decisions to favor their business interests.
“Testimony at the commission has shown how the criminal justice system was compromised and weakened,” Ramaphosa said.
He further said that the government has started implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which lays the basis for a comprehensive and integrated society-wide response to corruption.
“We will shortly be appointing the members of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, which is a multi-sectoral body that will oversee the initial implementation of the strategy and the establishment of an independent statutory anti-corruption body that reports to parliament.”
The state capture commission led by South Africa’s deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo is currently interrogating senior politicians, former officials, and government officials accused of corruption.
Ramaphosa further added that crime and violence continue to undermine people’s sense of safety and security in the country. The president said tackling crime is central to the success of the country’s post-COVID-19 recovery.
“We have taken steps and will continue to stop these crimes and deal with those responsible in terms of the law,” he said.
South Africa has one of the highest incidents of crime on the continent.
Source: https://africa.cgtn.com/2021/02/12/ramaphosa-south-africas-growth-hampered-by-corruption/