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State Capture prosecutions not going to solve corruption: IRR

Prosecuting people involved in State Capture will not solve South Africa’s rampant corruption in businesses, police services, government departments and agencies, schools, hospitals, and clinics, according to the Institute of Race Relations (IRR).

The research and policy organisation says corruption is a symptom of a deeper systemic problem and prosecuting people is like treating a deep would with painkillers instead of undergoing surgery.

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REDUCE AMOUNT OF MONEY CONTROLLED BY STATE OFFICIALS: IRR

“Merely prosecuting the corrupt will be insufficient in curbing the widespread corruption plaguing government operations in South Africa. Corruption is symptomatic of deeper systemic issues, primarily the concentration of rigged discretion of cadres, comrades, crooks, and cronies to make decisions on spending billions of rands,” says Hermann Pretorius, the ​head of strategic communications IRR.

He says a dual approach to combat corruption effectively is needed, and the first point of action is to significantly reduce the amount of money controlled by state officials.

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ADRESS ROOT CAUSE OF CORRUPTION NOT SYMPTOMS

“Addressing the root causes of corruption — excessive government control over financial resources and flawed race-rigged procurement and appointment systems — is crucial for achieving genuine accountability and ending the corruption crisis in South Africa,” says Pretorius.

He says the upcoming national budget speech, which will be delivered on 21 February, is an opportunity for finance minister Enoch Godongwana to implement measures that leave more money in the hands of citizens through lower taxes.

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‘BEE POLICIES SHOULD BE SCRAPPED NO VALUE FOR MONEY’

“Additionally, the IRR proposes the introduction of means-tested vouchers for healthcare, housing, and education, which would not only empower vulnerable South Africans but also reduce the opportunities for corruption by limiting the funds accessible to corrupt state officials,” he said.

The IRR says the current race-based public procurement and appointment policies should be scrapped because these policies are in direct contravention of the Zondo Report and deliberately fail to make value for money the highest consideration in public spending.

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