• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home South Africa

Corruption in municipalities has increased by 50% in recent years: Report

18 August 2021, 12:28 PM  |
Amina Accram Amina Accram |  @SABCNews
Corruption Watch released its annual report on corruption trends for 2020.

Corruption Watch released its annual report on corruption trends for 2020.

Image: Corruption Watch

Corruption Watch released its annual report on corruption trends for 2020.

Corruption Watch has released a report titled South Africa Needs Clean Hands highlighting how corruption has affected municipalities in the past 10 years.

The report, based on the accounts of more than 5 000 whistle-blowers, found that municipal managers are the most corrupt in municipalities and looked into local government from 2012 until the end of last year.

There was a 50 percent increase in corruption cases in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, compared to the previous year.

The author of the report, Melusi Ncala says, “From a sample of 33 000, 16 percent of them are about local government and these reports talk about issues of corruption in the office of the municipal manager, as well as metro police, local police and also the housing department at least at the local level.”

Ncala says, “It’s not necessarily that they are going up – it’s more a case of members of the public being more aware of the various activities that their leaders are involved in.”

According to the report, municipalities most implicated in corruption-related reports constitute major metropolitan municipalities. The City of Johannesburg topped the list with 700 reports, while Ekurhuleni has 354 corruption reports, City of Tshwane at 325, eThekwini with 166, and City of Cape Town at 125 reports.

Bribery is the most common form of corruption at a local level, followed by procurement and employment irregularities, abuse of power and embezzlement of funds.

Reports of corruption increased during COVID- 19:

Most corruption occurred within the office of the municipal manager, representing 34 percent of all reports received- which have a direct link to service delivery.

The local metro police are implicated in 30 percent of the reports, followed by housing and human settlements. These represent the top three hotspots for corruption in local government, according to the report.

Ncala says, “Bribery accounts for 28 percent, procurement, irregularities about 24 percent and so on and so forth and so on and we find that most of the bribery relates to interactions that members of the public have with police officers. That is where police officers will try to solicit a bribe.”

The report also points to nepotism, bribery, and disregard for policies and laws, with implicated officials rarely being held accountable.

There were several instances where companies double-billed for services, such as in the City of Cape Town, or allegations of business syndicates with major influence over municipal processes.

The latest estimated figure from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) for irregular expenditure at local government is R32 billion.

“There are these cartel-like structures operating within municipalities. These are companies that have and continue to receive tenders provided for by the managers but what we found is that people are still not receiving the services that are said to be done by these companies,” Ncala says.

“So a company will bid to build a road or a park but none of that is happening but ten percent of that contract will go back to officials in that municipality,” added Ncala.

We, the people, need #transparency.

We are taking back our power with the new VEZA online tool, that allows you to rate and review your police station and police officers based on your personal experience. #VezaPoliceCorruption #VezaTool pic.twitter.com/4CXbtPSBNm

— Corruption Watch (@Corruption_SA) February 17, 2021


Corruption Watch elaborates on the impact of local government corruption on society and service delivery: “This is highlighted by the fact there is a lack of basic service delivery. In many communities, people are still struggling to get water and sanitation. There are issues with electricity provisions, some people don’t even get houses, these are very important things that local municipalities are supposed to provide for because this is where actual governance happens. Local municipalities are the people. To make sure that our democracy is realised for many, many people.”

The country is scheduled to hold its sixth municipal elections in October, where positions in the country’s eight metropolitan municipalities, 44 districts and 200 local municipalities are expected to be filled.

This will be a significant election, as many communities have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Corruption Watch says curbing the spread of the virus remains difficult when schools and informal settlements do not have adequate access to water and sanitation, and areas are overcrowded due to a lack of proper housing, while local governments fail to provide these services.

The Civil society group is urging citizens to continue reporting corrupt activities in their communities.

Analysis of the reports shows that #bribery is the most common form of corruption at #localgovernment, followed by procurement and employment irregularities, abuse of power and embezzlement of funds.

Most #corruption occurs within the office of the municipal manager. pic.twitter.com/aKhpH2PY52

— Corruption Watch (@Corruption_SA) August 18, 2021

The ten #municipalities from which we received the most #corruption complaints over the last nine years include seven metropolitan municipalities and three local municipalities.

To download the full report, click here https://t.co/i62WdlXfFQ. pic.twitter.com/GCJnF1QnFC

— Corruption Watch (@Corruption_SA) August 18, 2021

OUT NOW! Corruption Watch’s new report ‘South Africa needs clean hands’ reveals that most #localgovernment corruption occurs in the municipal manager’s office & highlights various corruption issues that have plagued municipalities throughout SA ? https://t.co/88j4MHq0gF pic.twitter.com/SxNFYMRBga

— Corruption Watch (@Corruption_SA) August 18, 2021

Share article
Tags: Corruption WatchSouth Africa Needs Clean HandsAGSASouth AfricaEastern CapeMelusi NcalaWestern CapeKwaZulu-NatalFree StateCorruptionAuditor-General of South Africa
Previous Post

Department of Basic Education not doing enough to eradicate pit latrines: Equal Education

Next Post

ANC disciplinary measures are being abused to silence me: Niehaus

Related Posts

The multi-stakeholder group believes there are solutions to the power crisis that do not have to include the declaration of a national state of disaster.  

Legal battle on horizon if Ramaphosa declares a national state of disaster over Eskom crisis

8 February 2023, 11:04 PM
Gavel seen in a courtroom

E Cape Health exempts from making upfront lump sum payment in case of medico-legal claim

8 February 2023, 10:24 PM
[FILE PHOTO] Learners seen playing during their school break.

Plans to fast-track pit toilet eradication at schools on track

8 February 2023, 8:49 PM

Gauteng’s Health Department confirms a third case of cholera in Johannesburg

8 February 2023, 6:12 PM
Close-up of gavel and handcuffs on a law book in a courtroom.

Former Eastern Cape Health MEC’s messenger sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraud

8 February 2023, 5:24 PM
Members of the South African National Defence Force rehearsing for SONA 2023 to take place at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday

Preparations are on track for SONA 2023

8 February 2023, 5:00 PM
Next Post
Suspended Umkhontho we Sizwe Military Veterans Association spokesperson Carl Niehaus and Ace Magashule outside the Estcourt Magistrate's Court.

ANC disciplinary measures are being abused to silence me: Niehaus

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • SA Weather Service warns of maximum temperatures in Cape Town
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • Budding Stellenbosch FC star reportedly stabbed to death
  • Several areas in Gauteng without water
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Several areas in Gauteng without water
  • ‘Sisulu should be fired for her unacceptable behaviour’
  • Gauteng’s Health Department confirms a third case of cholera in Johannesburg
  • Zuma vs Ramaphosa heads to the ConCourt
  • Weather Service issues severe weather warnings for parts of Eastern Cape, Gauteng

LATEST

People look amid rubble as the search for survivors continues following an earthquake in Hatay, Turkey, February 7, 2023.
  • Turkey - Syria Earthquake
  • World

Building collapses in Damascus suburb in quake aftermath


The multi-stakeholder group believes there are solutions to the power crisis that do not have to include the declaration of a national state of disaster.  
  • SONA 2023
  • South Africa

Legal battle on horizon if Ramaphosa declares a national state of disaster over Eskom crisis


Gavel seen in a courtroom
  • South Africa

E Cape Health exempts from making upfront lump sum payment in case of medico-legal claim


Soldiers guard positions near the Naaba Koom military base in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. (File)
  • Africa

Gunmen kill two MSF workers in west Burkina Faso


Power lines
  • Eskom rolling blackouts
  • Business

Six Eskom power stations identified as primary cause of rolling blackouts


Shopping cart loaded with grocery.
  • SONA 2023
  • Business

CEOs of CGCSA-member companies highlight rising cost of doing business in SA


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Department of Basic Education not doing enough to eradicate pit latrines: Equal Education
Next ANC disciplinary measures are being abused to silence me: Niehaus