This article was published in the May 2011 issue of Jet Club Magazine and was chosen by editor, Linda Mali, as one of the top articles of the year.
 We read so much in the news about corruption and our need as a country to stamp it out, but what does it mean to us? Diane Cassere looks at corruption and how it can make or break a country.
President Jacob Zuma and the Democratic Alliance leader, Helen Zille, have both come out strongly against corruption, putting campaigns and legislation in place to fight it.
Government hotline
Zuma’s African National Congress (ANC) government has initiated an official, central toll-free hotline for citizens to report corruption among state officials and civil servants.
The President was able to report, at the end of 2010, that after investigation of cases called in to the hotline, 235 officials had been found guilty of corruption and improper use of their status and power.
Clearly, it’s a matter to be taken seriously, but how can we play our part in stamping it out, and more importantly, curbing it in ourselves and our communities?
It starts at grass-roots level
If we can’t pay up in our own communities, or support the government’s fundraising that allows them to govern (through fines, taxes, rates and licences), then what right do we have to point fingers at corrupt government officials? Just as accidents and natural disasters cost the economy money (which means all taxpayers lose money), so does taking benefits you are not entitled to, or cheating the government out of revenue (rates, taxes, licences, etc.).
Knock-on effect
A shop in which staff or members of the public constantly steal things will increase its prices in order to survive. Likewise, banks will take their money back in any way they can, for instance increasing their charges to clients. The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) needs your TV licence money to be able to run. Bus and train services must be funded by consumers in order to function.
One way or the other, we will have to pay what we owe, so by doing it upfront, we start the fight against corruption on our own doorstep. So be a proud citizen who respects themself and their country!
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