TimesLIVE reports that corruption in the police service countered for the most number of reports received in 2019, Corruption Watch advised on Tuesday.
The third edition of the half-yearly publication Analysis of Corruption Trends Report revealed that, for the first time, the police had overtaken other sectors such as schools, health and local government. According to the report, 1,591 whistle-blowers exposed corruption in different sectors across the country. The leading forms of corruption in the police were abuse of power (35.7%) and bribery (30.6%). The report revealed that corruption in schools stood at 30.6%, which was “often at the hands of principals, school officials and school governing body members who deploy elaborate schemes to steal funds and divert resources that are intended to enhance learner education and environment.” At local government level, 35.5% of corruption reports related to procurement irregularities in municipalities. Bribery was the second-highest form of corruption in government, at 22.3%. There had also been a “worrying increase” in reports of corruption in health facilities. The most rife form was employment irregularities, at 33.3%, followed by procurement irregularities, at 15.1%. Corruption Watch’s David Lewis said the data had guided the organisation in its decision to intensify its engagement with the police and health sectors.
- Read the full original of the above report by Iavan Pijoos at TimesLIVE
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