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Transparency International joins Corruption Watch to support anti-corruption march in South Africa

Transparency International and its partner in South Africa, Corruption Watch, join with the thousands who plan to march on 30 September in South Africa to demand the government take immediate steps to stop the corruption that is blighting the lives of all citizens.

The march, organised by civil society in South Africa, is yet another example of people taking to the streets as they have recently in Brazil, Guatemala and Malaysia, to show their governments that they must tackle corruption.

“Rampant corruption is damaging the future of all South Africans, particularly the poorest of the poor. It compromises healthcare and education, threatens security and diminishes basic human rights. People should not have to live in a world where the police demand bribes or where corrupt administrators and their cronies manipulate business to enrich themselves and impoverish the citizens,” said José Ugaz, chair of Transparency International.

“Public outrage at rampant corruption and the impunity enjoyed by those protected by political connections and wealth is intensifying. Those who practise or condone corruption are well advised to examine the dire consequences of doing so. This is what the South African public is attempting to convey. We are exercising our democratic right to tell those in authority that we have had enough,” said David Lewis, executive director of Corruption Watch.

Transparency International and Corruption Watch are calling on the South African government and private sector for specific actions. These include:

  • Introducing laws to curb corruption in political party funding, lifestyle audits of senior public servants and strengthening whistleblower protection laws.
  • Strengthening anti-corruption institutions, including the Office of the Public Protector and Auditor General, and implementing their findings.
  • More involvement of the public and civil society in the appointment of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Police as well as the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
  • Mandating public registries of the real owners of any company that bids for a public contract to ensure there is no conflict of interest or cronyism in public procurement.
  • Committing to sign the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.


For any press enquiries please contact

Chris Sanders in Berlin
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T: +49 30 34 38 20 666

Moira Campbell in Johannesburg
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T: +27 (0)11 242 3900