Perceptions on fraud and corruption policies and strategies in public procurement within the Western Cape Provincial Treasury (WCPT)

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Corruption affects the lives of everyone in South Africa and can thus be characterised as acommon enemy.Fraud and corruption especially in the procurement systems is one of the majorcontributors of annual losses the Western Cape Provincial Government incurs. Since theintroduction of computerised procurement systems, also known as e-procurement, theoccurrence of fraud and corruption has substantially increased as soon as individualsfamiliarize themselves with the system. The Western Cape Provincial Government willsave a huge amount of money if fraud and corruption could be prevented and limited.These funds could be put to better use and result to better service delivery. TheGovernment has therefore developed many policies and strategies to try to combat andprevent corruption in procurement both in the public and private sector.This study examines the perceptions of key stakeholders on the appropriateness of thestrategies in place to prevent fraud and corruption in the provincial procurement system byparticularly looking at the achievements and limitations that have been experienced. Thefocal point is the Western Cape Provincial Treasury since they are currently the owners ofthe computerised procurement system. The study also includes an assessment of the role ofthe Western Cape Provincial Treasury in general in fighting fraud and corruption in publicprocurement.The research methods utilised include a comprehensive review of documentationpublished by the provincial government with regard to fraud and corruption as well asperceptions of key stakeholders on the appropriateness of anti-corruption policies andstrategies in the Western Cape Provincial Government.Government has, in its commitment to fight corruption, established various anti-corruptionagencies, developed a number of programmes and introduced numerous legislativeframeworks. The Western Cape Government in particular has developed a transversalAnti-corruption Strategy to provide a framework within which to combat fraud, corruptionand theft in the province. All provincial departments are encouraged to maintain a zerotoleranceagainst corruption by developing and implementing a Fraud and Corruptionpolicy within their various departments. The proper implementation of the anti-corruption policy is imperative for the prevention of fraud and corruption. Western Cape ProvincialTreasury, as the custodian of the LOGIS procurement system in the Western Cape, plays avital role in promoting compliance to relevant legislation by implementing anti-corruptionstrategies.It is apparent that different anti-corruption strategies to control and manage fraud andcorruption in procurement do exist, but its appropriateness differs from department todepartment. Anti-corruption strategies will only be successful when it eliminates theoccurrence of fraud and when perpetrators are caught and executed.Management should play a vital role in identifying and combating corruption indepartments. Employees should be made aware of the consequences if they should commitany fraudulent acts. Furthermore, all officials should be encouraged to report anyfraudulent incidents.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University