Corruption in water sector ‘systemic’: report
Water Integrity Network's Executive Director Barbara Schreiner says one of the key findings of a new report is the fact that corruption in the sector is putting pressure on the government’s ability to deliver water to South Africans.
Schreiner spoke at the release of Corruption Watch’s report 'Money Down The Drain corruption in the South Africa's water sector’ in Braamfontein on Thursday.
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Schreiner said corruption in the water sector is putting the economy and the people’s lives at risk.
Schreiner points the report reveals three corruption strategies used in the water sector.
1. Manipulation precurement and operation process.
2. Influence policy and regulatory decisions.
3. Taking control of decision making sights and institutions.
“One of the challenges is that tender process can be grid even in a well run system, if there are enough people who are happy to influence the system,” she said.
“So no matter what requirements you have in place... if you have people who are will to bug the system and if there is no impunity - it can go awry.”
Water and Development Management’s Mike Muller says an illustration of the harm corruption causes is the empty taps when residents try to access water.
“We need to remember, that the impact of this corruption is actually on poor people.”
Muller said an important finding from the report is that corruption in the water sector is systemic.
Schreiner added the country cannot have honest institutions without honest and ethical officials.
“If we want the water sector to be an integrity island, we need ethical leaders.”
Schreiner suggested the establishment of an external panel or agency that will overlook the appointment of people to the boards of entities.
“We need processes in place remove those who break the rules through corrupt process.”
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Corruption in water sector ‘systemic’: report by Lulutho Mkosi on Scribd