Corruption an epidemic keeping SA back from freedom, fairness and opportunity
2 December 2015
News yesterday that South Africa is perceived to be the most corrupt nation on the African continent is a devastating blow to the image of our country, brought about by a government that protects and defends the corrupt, rather than rooting out this malfeasance.
Transparency International’s finding against South Africa, based on 42,143 interviews conducted by Afrobarometer across sub-Saharan Africa, shows that promises by Jacob Zuma’s ANC government to tackle corruption have yielded no results, and in fact South Africa is now perceived as increasingly corrupt.
Corruption is a selfish and arrogant practice that denies South Africans opportunities to get ahead in life. Under Jacob Zuma we have seen South Africa descend into a culture of insiders and outsiders, where those connected to President Zuma get endless opportunities and benefits, and the remainder of South Africa gets poorer, sees growing unemployment and stagnant development.
The cost to South Africa of Jacob Zuma’s corrupt government is immense, and to individual citizens it is a heartbreaking reality that only insiders will get ahead, while outsiders will be left behind.