Page 8 - DPSA_SDR Vol12 no1 A4.indd

ETHICS

Anti-corruption hotline

yielding results

Some people turn a blind eye to found guilty of misconduct. For its role in R420 million was recovered and
corruption for fear that reporting it these successes, the hotline was given returned to the public purse. While
will jeopardise their careers, or even a stamp of approval. ordinary citizens are encouraged to
their lives. But there are laws that report corruption, public servants are
protect whistle-blowers or people who “We are making a dent as shown with the obligated to do so.
report corruption in South Africa. The numbers: 1 740 officials were dismissed,
government’s anti-corruption hotline 450 were fined, 140 were demoted, 927 “Public servants are obliged to report
allows people to report corruption officials were given final written warnings incidents of corruption because if
anonymously and, in this way, protects and 395 were criminally prosecuted,” you are aware of something wrong
their identities. says Public Service Commissioner happening and don’t report it, it could
Sellinah Nkosi. mean you are also party to that,” says
Launched on 1 September 2004, the Nkosi.
aim of the anti-corruption hotline is to
create a central database for reporting But with matters When lodging a complaint or reporting
and monitoring cases of corruption, an act of corruption, callers are asked
while eliminating the duplication of like corruption, fear a series of questions pertaining to the
investigations and resources. act that is being reported. This assists
The Public Service Commission (PSC), often stops potential investigators to narrow their search and
zone in on their target.
as the institution tasked with overseeing complainants from
the performance of the public service, Once reported, cases are forwarded
is the custodian of the hotline. Anyone blowing the whistle. to the relevant departments and
can report acts of corruption through the public entities for investigation. The
hotline by dialling 0800 701 701. departments and public entities are then
required to provide feedback to the PSC
From September 2004 to March 2017, At the end of the 2017-18 financial year, on the progress made.
the hotline contributed to identifying through the successful investigation
3 655 people who were subsequently of cases reported through the hotline,

6 SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW | Volume 12 No. 1 of 2018