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31 July 2008

Public Service and Administration Minister, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, has today formally launched the Anti-Corruption Learning Network (ACLN). The network will be an annual event which creates a learning space for anti-corruption practitioners in the public sector, where experience and knowledge can be exchanged.

Speaking at the network, Minister Fraser-Moleketi said, "Learning networks, by their nature, recognise the value of knowledge. The fundamental point is: knowledge leads to improved capacities, skills, values and understanding.  This is the underlying principle that brought us together because we acknowledged the need for improved capacity to fight corruption in the public sector.  As anti-corruption practitioners, we need various kinds of knowledge to deal effectively with corruption. The Anti-Corruption Learning Network will become an essential resource for anti-corruption across the public sector.”

The purpose and objectives of the ACLN is to:
* Foster a seamless approach in the fight against corruption in the public sector;
* Deliberate and discuss on how best to strengthen the anti-corruption measures in government departments;
* Bring together government departments to share experiences on anti-corruption practices and;
* Contribute towards increasing capacity to prevent and combat corruption in the public sector and maintain this capacity through continuous training.

Today’s workshop focused on the three projects by the Department of Public Service and Administration (dpsa) that promote good governance in the public sector.   

Anti-corruption practitioners shared experiences on the implementation of the Minimum Anti-Corruption Capacity (MACC) requirements; planned capacity development initiatives for the public sector;  a case study on ethics in management in the public service was shared by the Eastern Cape Province; and the results of the Public Administration Survey: Corruption in Service Delivery were showcased.

The results of the survey on corruption in service delivery indicate that perceptions of corruptions are widespread, however with respondents’ actual experiences of corruption being lower than their perceptions.  Perceptions of corruption provide a useful indication of trust in governments’ ability to fight corruption and the efficacy of anti-corruption measures.

Through hosting annual Anti-Corruption Learning Networks, the dpsa intends to improve coordination and synergy in the fight against corruption in the public sector, improve departmental capacity to fight corruption and increase compliance with MACC requirements.

The launch of the Anti-Corruption Learning Network comes on the eve of the 3rd National Anti-Corruption Summit that will be hosted on the 4th and 5th of August 2008 at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. Given the fact that the National Anti-Corruption Forum is a multi-sectoral organisation, the Summit will be attended by a diverse audience comprising representatives from the public, private and civil society sectors. Today’s launch will provide a consolidated position when government interacts with business and civil society at the summit.

The aim of the Summit is to advance and fully explore the idea of an integrated national integrity framework for South Africa.  Previous National Anti-Corruption summits have shown that Government, Business and Civil Society are all involved in building national integrity, with no cohesive, integrated system for a national integrity framework in existence.  

Theme for the summit is ‘Towards an Integrated National Integrity Framework: Consolidating the Fight against Corruption’.

For more information, contact:
Ramona Baijnath
Cell: 082 308 2666

Issued by: Ministry for Public Service and Administration
31 July 2008