NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION SUMMITS

The Fourth National Anti-Corruption Summit: 2011

The Fourth National Anti-Corruption Summit was held at the Sandton Convention Centre on 8-9 December 2011. It was attended by more than 300 delegates.

The National Anti-Corruption Forum (NACF) hosts the biennial National Anti-Corruption Summits. The primary function of the Summits is to report back on the implementation of resolutions and to pass new ones for further implementation. The NACF also uses the Summit to reflect on the nature and state of corruption in the country and the initiatives and efforts needed to be put in place to deal with corruption. Consequently, it passes resolutions to address these concerns. The Resolutions of the Fourth National Anti-Corruption Summit are therefore included below.

RESOLUTIONS

We the delegates drawn from the various sectors of South African society -

Observe International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December 2011, acknowledging that, while our country has adopted several laws in accordance with our Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, key international conventions aimed at combating corruption, it needs to find innovative ways to ensure their effective implementation;

Note with growing concern the worsening ratings measured by corruption perception indices of South Africa’s ethical performance, and the destructive impact and unsustainable effect on our social fabric of the combined ills of corruption at top levels and conspicuous consumption in a context of widening economic and social inequality;

Welcome the promised progress to strengthen transparency and accountability in the revised Public Service Integrity Management Framework, and call for its speedy implementation;

Acknowledge that some parts of civil society and the private sector have not yet consistently implemented similar financial disclosure provisions for directors in their organisations;

Acknowledge the positive role being played by various fora established by government to enhance cooperation and collaborative synergies, including the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Corruption, the Multi-Agency Working Group, the Anti-Corruption Task Team and the Public Service Anti-Corruption Unit;

Note reports of progress in the review of the Protected Disclosures Act, called for in NACF Resolutions of 2005 and 2008;

Acknowledge concrete steps taken by the private sector and government aimed at deepening cooperation in the fight against corruption, and encourage future collaboration between all sectors;

Welcome recent positive developments indicating greater resolve by government to take firm action in active support of the work of Chapter 9 institutions;

Recommit ourselves as individual delegates, organisations and sectors to actively promote good governance and an ethical culture in all spheres of South African life.

Resolve as follows:

  1. We reaffirm the original vision of the NACF, as set out in the Memorandum of Understanding on its Establishment, as the primary platform for the development of a national consensus through the coordination of sectoral strategies against corruption.
  2. Sector representatives commit to securing the renewed commitment of their leadership to give effect to the vision and objectives of the NACF.
  3. We reaffirm our commitment to holding ourselves and each other accountable to report regularly on effective implementation of sectoral and joint strategies.
  4. We commit to engage with our respective constituencies and with each other to revise the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and implementation modalities.
  5. Sector representatives undertake to review their sectoral anti-corruption initiatives and programmes aimed at realising an agreed National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
  6. Each sector commits to review and where necessary reconstitute its representation on the NACF.
  7. We recognise that to give effect to the vision, objectives and programmes of the NACF it is necessary to identify and secure adequate resources to review and capacitate its structures at local, provincial and national level.
  8. To develop a comprehensive education, awareness and communication campaign to promote an ethical culture, develop an improved understanding of the many facets of corruption, and the contributions being made to combat this scourge.
  9. To reaffirm the resolutions adopted at previous Summits that remain unimplemented, call on all sectors to take urgent and decisive action to demonstrate their commitment to both their previous joint undertakings and to this shared Forum, and to include them in the National Anti-Corruption Programme. Previous resolutions are attached for ease of reference.
  10. We commit ourselves to engage to consider options for the implementation of and respect for the Constitutional Court’s ruling requiring the establishment of independent anti-corruption capacity.
  11. Noting reference in the Preamble to the review of the PDA, we call for comprehensive protection for whistleblowers, and the right to access to information in line with the national Constitution.
  12. The NACF is tasked to urgently produce a strategic programme of action supported by a business plan, including timeframes, to give effect to all resolutions.

Issued by the National Anti-Corruption Forum

For more information, please contact:
Nkosikhulule Nyembezi; Cell: 082 429 4719
Jacques Marnewicke; Cell: 082 441 6842



REPORT ON THE PROCEEDINGS

The report will be available shortly.