Baloyi calls for collective action against corruption

Baloyi was speaking at the third Annual Anti-Corruption Business Forum held at the Sandton Convention Centre, north of Johannesburg on Friday, 21 October 2011.

The forum, held under the theme "Strengthening the role of business in the call for collective action", has drawn a wide-range of stakeholders including government and business leaders.

In his remarks delivered during a panel discussion, Minister Baloyi urged civil society to join hands with government in an effort to eradicate the scourge.

"As government we admit that fighting corruption in all its manifestations cannot be our sole responsibility but a collective action amongst all stakeholders in society.

"Involvement of civil society is needed and you do not need a fragmented civil society to join hands in the fight against corruption," Baloyi said.

Baloyi also reiterated government's intention to amend the Public Service Act to address the question of suspended public servants for longer periods while continuing to earn salaries.

He said the war on corruption in the public service has to be intensified as it is affecting the most vulnerable people in society, especially poor people in rural areas.

"Zero tolerance of corruption is the stance of government, it is not rhetoric but a target that must be realised," he said.

Representatives of Business Unity South Africa echoed governments call for a collective action to eradicate corruption stressing that it is also a problem for business and acknowledged the severity of the scourge in building a better society.