Normative model to alleviate corruption : a synoptic case study of South Africa

Abstract

Curbing corruption has become a key priority for a number of countries and innovative initiatives have been taken towards achieving this goal. Such initiatives have increased through the inauguration of specific anti-corruption institutions, watchdog organisations and anti-corruption legislation. These agencies and laws are required to closely monitor public ethics and they attempt to achieve levels of transparency, especially with regard to public sector decision-making. The European Commission emphatically states that the overall objective of these efforts is, inter alia, to contribute to the prevention and control of corruption so that it no longer undermines the confidence of the public in the political and judicial system, democracy, the rule of law, and economic and social development. Comprehensive anti-corruption legislation and the implementation thereof are necessary to advance the rule of law and prevent corruption. Anti-corruption agencies are regarded as part of a number of strategies that can be utilised to reduce corruption in a government. Numerous countries such as Hong Kong, India and Singapore have embarked on various anti-corruption initiatives and perceive these agencies as an integral part of these initiatives. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive literary review of anti-corruption agencies in Hong Kong, New South Wales and South Africa and to recommend a suitable normative model for the Republic of South Africa based on the findings of the review.