Today, I signed into law the Business Interests of Employees Bill recently passed by the Western Cape Provincial legislature. This marks a watershed for rooting out corruption and cronyism in the public service. The Bill has been signed into law a day before International Anti-Corruption Day.
Corruption in the public service has reached alarming levels in recent years. This crisis is highlighted by the Public Service Commission's (PSC) 2010 State of the Public Service Report which found that:
One of the key drivers of corruption is the absence of restrictions on state employees doing business with the state. State employees with a financial interest in companies that tender for goods and services have a clear conflict of interest, yet this has never been regulated.
The Business Interests of Employees Bill is designed to do just that by:
Now that the Bill has been signed into law, the Director-General will compile and maintain a database of all employees' business interests disclosed in terms of the legislation. All provincial government employees will be given three months to disclose. If employees fail to disclose their business interests, disciplinary action will be initiated against them.
It is fitting that this Bill is being signed into law the day before International Anti-Corruption Day. The United Nations Convention, in the October 31, 2003, signed a resolution declaring the 9th of December each year as the international anti-corruption day.
On this day all signatories to the resolution, including South Africa, are encouraged to actively campaign against corruption, to take responsibility for rooting out corruption and to implement a plan of action in this regard.
The Business Interests of Employees Bill is part of the Western Cape provincial government's plan of action to curb corruption and cronyism in the public service.