International Anti-corruption Day: 9 December
9 December 2019
On 31 October 2003, the United Nations General Assembly decided to declare 9 December as International Anti-Corruption Day. Its role would be “to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the UN Convention against Corruption” that came into force in 2005.
Article 6 of the Convention required States Party to ensure the existence of “a body or bodies to prevent corruption”. Such bodies would be granted the necessary independence to enable them to carry out their functions effectively and free from any undue influence. They would also be provided with the “necessary material resources and specialised staff, as well as the training that such staff may require to carry out their functions.”
South Africa had such a body - which had been established in 2001. It was called “the Scorpions” (the Directorate of Special Operations) and was located within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure its independence. Apart from investigating organised crime, racketeering and money-laundering, the Scorpions were responsible for combatting organised corruption.
It was very successful. The Scorpions led the investigations against those involved in the notorious arms deal - including Schabir Shaik and then Deputy President Jacob Zuma. It also began to unravel corruption among ANC parliamentarians in the Travelgate scam and was hot on the trail of corruption allegations involving senior ANC members and deployees.