Chairperson: Public Service Commission BUILDING NATIONAL INTEGRITY: GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES A paper presented to Global Forum V on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding integrity By: Prof S.S. Sangweni Chairperson: Public Service Commission

BUILDING INTEGRITY SYSTEMS: SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVES “The concept of a National Integrity System comprises the building blocks necessary for the long-term fight against corruption and other forms of unethical and anti-social behaviour. Its core elements are constituted by a society’s value system and it must permeate the structures, practices and principles of the state, the corporate sector and civil society. These values include accountability, transparency, equity, efficiency, developmentalism, and fundamental rights and freedoms.” Hon. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi: Minister for the Public Service and Administration

CONTND Our South African Constitution includes a Bill of Rights and sets out the values and principles that govern public administration which all organs of state must observe and promote. Our Constitution also creates the Human Rights Commission, the Gender Commission, the Public Protector, the Auditor-General and the Public Service Commission (PSC) to promote integrity in governance.

GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES IN SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT OF BUILDING INTEGRITY SYSTEMS Code of Conduct for the Public Service Financial Disclosure Framework Public Service Delivery – Batho Pele National Anti-Corruption Forum (NACF)

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE To give expression to constitutional ideals, a number of value-based integrity frameworks have been put in place. In this regard a Code of Conduct for the Public Service, was introduced- 1997- to shape the kind of public servant South Africa should have, driven by high standards ethical conduct.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES FRAMEWORK A Financial Disclosure Framework for senior managers in the Public Service has been implemented. The framework enables the administrative leadership of the Public Service to consider the extent to which their private interests are likely to be in conflict with their public duties, thus allowing them to take ethical decisions in the interests of the Public Service. The Financial Disclosures Framework is intended to promote integrity amongst the administrative leadership of the Public Service and inspire public confidence in the Public Service.

PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY – BATHO PELE To ensure integrity in improved service delivery the White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery, in 1997(BathoPele), was introduced. The Batho Pele White Paper provides implementation strategy for efficient, effective and equitable provision of public services. Key principles for the transformation of Public Service Delivery: Access Consultation Participation Communication Value for money

NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION FORUM A cross-sectoral partnership in the fight against corruption has been established with the creation of a National Anti-Corruption Forum (NACF). The NACF comprises three sectors, namely the civil society, the business government sectors. Each sector is represented by 10 members nominated by their respective constituencies. A Memorandum of Understanding contains the objectives of the Forum: The key objectives of the NACF are: The establishment of a national consensus through co-ordination of sectoral strategies against corruption; Advise government on national initiatives in the implementation of strategies to combat corruption; Share information on the improvement of sectoral anti-corruption strategies; and To advise sectors on the improvement of sectoral anti-corruption strategies.

CONCLUSION The issues I have alluded to in this paper sketch the key building blocks in the establishment of a National Integrity System in the South African context. This paper has a public service bias, if to underscore that the Public Service, given its structural composition and access to resources, is the ideal vehicle through which initiatives towards building a National Integrity Framework can be launched. The South African experience illustrates the progress that can be made if the Public Service takes the lead. Already the buy-in of Business and Civil Society has been secured through the NACF. We believe South Africa has consequently taken significant strides towards building its national integrity.

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