No space for corruption, says co-chair of G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group

The Department of the Public Service and Administration, in collaboration with the Special Investigating Unit and the Department of Justice, led the inaugural G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting in Cape Town, this week.

As the world grapples with corruption, the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) is poised to make significant strides in its mission, and it aims to confront a global challenge that undermines development, economic stability, and public trust.

Established in 2010, the ACWG fosters collaboration among G20 nations to combat corruption through shared practices and collective action. The urgency of this mission is underscored by the pervasive nature of corruption, which manifests in various forms, from bribery and nepotism to the misappropriation of public funds, which in return affects economic growth and governance integrity

A media briefing was held on Wednesday on the outcomes of the inaugural meeting

Minister of the Department of Public Service and Administration and Co-chairperson of the ACWG, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, described the meeting as a significant milestone to promote transparency, and accountability

‘’This G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group technical meeting is a cornerstone in our roadmap to combat corruption, setting the stage for the two subsequent technical meetings scheduled for June in Brazil and later in Mpumalanga, here in South Africa. These discussions will culminate in the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meeting, where Member States will reaffirm their commitment to the primary objective of Anti-Corruption Working Group, which is to eradicate corruption through inter alia, strengthening the public sector by promoting transparency, accountability and ethical leadership, and by fostering international cooperation.’’

‘’As co-chair of Anti-Corruption Working Group, South Africa leveraged its precedents to build on the previous G20 summits. We emphasized the importance of international cooperation and explored mechanisms to enhance the implementation of international legal instruments to which G20 members have endorsed. A unified and coordinated global response is critical to closing the gaps that allow corruption to thrive. Liberations focused on harmonizing national laws with international standards to create a robust legislation that enhances legal recourse and restore public confidence in our justice system. Establishing uniform standards across G20 countries is essential for effective cross-border cooperation against corruption.’’

‘’The meeting also highlighted the need for greater transparency in public sector, including enhancing transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership mechanisms. Transparency is being a powerful tool in combating corruption as it reduces opportunity for misconduct and fostering a culture of integrity. The outcomes of this first technical meeting have laid a robust foundation for the next phases of our work. As we prepare for the upcoming meeting in Brazil and Mpumalanga, our focus will remain on building consensus around actionable commitments that go beyond policy declarations and resulting in tangible actions against corruption,’’ added Buthelezi.

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The minister says there's no space for corruption, highlighting the need to track stolen assets.

‘’By keeping our citizens informed and engaged, we reinforce the message that corruption has no place in our societies, and that integrity will be the cornerstone of governance worldwide. This gathering has allowed us to share best practices, strengthen international cooperation, and chart a course towards building resilient institutions that effectively respond to corruption. The recovery of stolen assets is paramount in our fight against corruption. In South Africa, the Special Investigating Unit plays a vital role in investigating and reclaiming assets lost due to corruption,’’ said Buthelezi.

He stressed the importance of collaborating with international bodies to combat corruption.

‘’This gathering has also allowed us to share best practices, strengthen international cooperation, and chart a course toward building a resilient institution that effectively responds to corruption. As we acknowledge the progress made in asset recovery, we must also recognize the indispensable role of whistle blowers in uncovering corruption.''

 ''Their courage in exposing wrongdoing often comes at a significant personal risk. Therefore, enhancing whistleblower protection remains at the top of our priorities as government. South Africa is set to introduce the Whistleblower Protection Bill in Parliament this year, reinforcing our commitment to strengthen legal safeguards for those who report corruption. We do this because we know very well that whistleblowers are the cornerstone of our fight against corruption,’’ said Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, Minister of the Department of Public Service and Administration and Co-chairperson of the ACWG.

 

Done by: Mitchum George