CORRUPTION
KHAYA SITHOLE: Big business joins state at feeding trough
In the context of widespread corruption and governance lapses across key entities in SA, it is important to reflect on one of the significant developments initiated by the business community in 2017. Four months ago, Business Leadership SA (BLSA) launched its business pledge in Alexandra, which had at its core a commitment to oppose and fight corruption, avoid anticompetitive behaviour and protect whistle-blowers. This was in direct response to the pervasive corruption scandals that were exposed in the public sector, underpinned by the Gupta e-mail leaks. As a representative of SA’s largest 80 businesses, BLSA has the requisite resources and influence to drive change in the country. But since the launch, reality has intervened and the pledge has turned out to be more challenging to implement.When BLSA launched its pledge, the consensus was that corruption was a disease of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), cultivated and protected by political elites. However, corrupt relations are sel...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.