SA hosts Commonwealth Anti-Corruption Conference

CAPE TOWN - Combating corruption in Africa will feature prominently in Cape Town on Monday, where Commonwealth countries will gather to discuss best practices.
As the South African host, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) will lead the 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa.
The unit has been at the forefront of unearthing corrupt practices in state institutions in the aftermath of state capture and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anti-corruption bodies from 21 countries make up the Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities in Commonwealth Africa.
They will be meeting under the theme, "Enhancing Inclusive Participation of State and Non-State Actors to Prevent and Combat Corruption."
South Africa is estimated to lose billions of rands each year as a result of corruption in procurement in state departments, and the COVID-19 pandemic made this even more apparent, as civil servants also tried to fraudulently claim relief benefits.
READ: SIU launching corruption & maladministration probe into govt depts, SOEs
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has tabled a bill in Parliament seeking to establish a new anti-corruption body - an independent Chapter 9 institution to investigate and prosecute high-level corruption and organised crime.
But the proposal is yet to garner the necessary political backing.
Some of the countries that have similar anti-corruption commissions - including Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, Mauritius and Kenya - will be present at this week's regional conference of anti-corruption bodies.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi will deliver the opening address.

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