Abstract
This article provides a ‘high level’ view of current debates about the causes of and remedies for corruption in South Africa, with a view to reflecting on how to address corruption. The article starts by providing an overview of the current integrity framework and initiatives to strengthen it within the domains of public administration and criminal justice. Alongside this, the article briefly reviews historical and sociological accounts of corruption in South Africa. This provides the basis for a discussion of the moral economy of corruption. Instead of focusing on questions of surveillance or deterrence, this strand of analysis implies that addressing corruption is not simply about addressing ‘moral deficits’ but engaging with questions about how to advance justice and fairness in South African society.
Highlights
Implicated in corruption, is an obstacle to addressing corruption in South Africa
The article briefly reviews historical and sociological accounts of corruption in South Africa. This provides the basis for a discussion of the moral economy of corruption
The extensive regulatory framework that exists, intended to ensure that public servants and politicians adhere to standards of integrity, has taken shape over several years and includes, for instance, codes of conduct binding on all employees of the public service[8] and on municipal staff members.[9]
Summary
That Zuma and other ANC leaders linked to corruption have continued to enjoy widespread support raises questions about attitudes to corruption in South Africa. The ANC’s and Zuma’s continued popularity points to an obvious conclusion: that rather than being ‘united against corruption’,4 many South Africans are willing to excuse or overlook acts of corruption That attitudes of this kind exist is reflected in the fact that corruption is a substantial social problem. This article is concerned with developing an integrated understanding of these issues It provides an overview of the current government integrity framework and reform initiatives intended to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. Debates about this framework and how to strengthen it imply certain approaches to addressing corruption. This in turn provides the basis for an understanding of the ‘moral economy’ of corruption
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