Page 20 - IRMSA Risk Report 2020

Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines democracy and the rule of
law, leads to violations of human rights, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life, and allows organised crime, terrorism and other
threats to human security to flourish. This evil phenomenon is found in all countries big and small, rich and poor but it is in the
developing world that its effects are most destructive. Corruption hurts the poor disproportionately by diverting funds intended for
development, undermining a government’s ability to provide basic services, feeding inequality and injustice, and discouraging
foreign investment and aid. Corruption is a key element in economic under-performance and a major obstacle to poverty alleviation
and development.

The real issue here is that crime, including gender-based crime, is not a novel phenomenon. It’s always been present but it
has been getting worse. Where were we when crime was perpetrated?

Turning to the solutions to these problems, the Chief Justice reminded the audience that accountability, responsiveness and
transparency are some of our foundational values as a constitutional democracy. We need to put them into practice.

Based on these values, we need to take the following actions in addition to whatever else we might be doing:

• Reflect on what we talk about. In our homes, what do we say to our children about our country and about the people
who are different from us? What value system, if any, and what sense of responsibility are we inculcating in our
children?

• Take action. The Chief Justice urged all South Africans to examine what they are doing to ensure that the country
progresses, and moves towards realising its potential to be a prosperous, peaceful and more stable place to live.

• Take control of your future. He urged the youth, in particular to seek aggressively for growth opportunities. “Never be
complacent. If there is an opportunity to learn and grow your skillset, grab it with both hands and run with it. If there is
a leadership position, apply and provide much-needed guidance and leadership and lead with integrity,” he said.

• Hold Government accountable for its shortcomings, and make it take its mandate to transform the economy
seriously. In his view, economic and social redress are pivotal to the future of South Africa. To mitigate the risks
inherent in a non-inclusive economy, he argued that Government should assist small to medium-sized businesses by
providing work opportunities and funding. Big business could also play a big role by providing more employment.

In short, Government and the private sector must make a concerted effort to provide meaningful opportunities.
• Insist that the institutions on which democracy depends are strengthened. Only then will we be able to deal with
crime and corruption. Only then will the principles of Ubuntu or Botho, which define us as people, permeate our
society. Only then will the limited resources at our disposal be used correctly, in a responsible manner and unaffected
by greed. If this had happened in the past, we would not be where we are now.

• Address the real issues. As a nation, we tend to devote most of our resources to symptoms, rather than root causes. In
particular, we should be looking at the reasons why people are corrupt, and what we need to do to turn things around.

The Chief Justice went to outline what he thought would be an effective and immediate intervention: make things very
uncomfortable for those involved in corruption, for anybody involved in wrongdoing. We should take our inspiration from
the women’s march on 1 August 2018, he said. They set out to march on the President’s office to make him uncomfortable
about their situation.

But, he warned, action will only be effective if it’s part of a tangible plan. If we get organised and speak with a united voice
against all wrongdoing, then it would be just a matter of time before we see results. Until now, those who have been
comfortable doing wrong have relied on there being no consequences—if there are consequences, they will cease to feel
comfortable.

It’s important to remember that we, as citizens, have keep on speaking out in a consistent manner, he concluded. We have
to be better organised, and understand what the risks (and opportunities) are, and work on finding ways to mitigate the risks
—mitigations that are implemented. In that regard, the whole risk management profession has a key role to play.

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