- Corruption hits things that matter hard — like healthcare.
- It happens in both the public and private sector — and makes it harder and more expensive for everyone to get the healthcare they deserve.
- Political parties are quick to criticise the lack of transparency and accountability, but what are they proposing instead?
- We analysed 15 parties’ manifestos — and they all promise to curb corruption. But do they have real plans? Find out.
Healthcare may be a right, but corruption in hospitals and clinics is eating away at South Africans’ freedom to use them.
Last week, Corruption Watch released the results of a survey among 1 500 people that looked at how dishonest dealings impact their lives. Two-thirds of the group said corruption affected their access to quality healthcare.
While about a quarter admitted to giving gifts or favours to police, traffic and car licence officials, the number almost doubled when people were asked about their interaction with medical professionals.
Corruption happens in both the public and private sectors, with medical aid fraud costing up to R28-billion a year.
It’s become so routine that two-thirds of respondents said they don’t have confidence in law enforcement agencies‘ ability to clamp down on dodgy behaviour; about half have little faith in existing anti-corruption policies. They want to see real consequences for the perpetrators and better protection for whistle-blowers who pay a high price for speaking out, like the health official Babita Deokaran who was murdered in 2021.
At least half of respondents in the Corruption Watch survey believe that the government only serves the needs of the wealthy and powerful.
So does the political party asking you to vote for them next week have fresh ideas on clamping down?
All 15 of the parties whose manifestos we analysed mention corruption as a big issue in their campaign speak. But is it just lip service?
Want to read more from BOSA? Click here.
Want to read what other parties say about corruption? Click here.
Want to read more from ActionSA? Click here.
Want to read what other parties say about corruption? Click here.
Want to read more from the ACDP? Click here.
Want to read what other parties say about corruption? Click here.
Want to read more from Al Jama-ah? Click here.
Want to read what other parties say about corruption? Click here.
