Capturing Community Views: Corruption
Introduction: I am part of an international network of community practitioners
involved in fostering public conversations about important public matters in
nonpartisan public forums. We are developing a discussion guide about
corruption—one that captures the diversity of perspectives and concerns the public
brings to this issue. We would greatly appreciate hearing your views.
1. When you think about corruption, what problems come to mind? Who is involved in
corruption?
When I think about corruption I think of state tenders, BEE fronting, private business.
Those who are involved are senior state officials who have business interests. And this
results in inability to deliver services and increases costs of services.
2. Are you concerned about the amount of corruption in our community? In what way?
What do you think concerns others in our community? How do you think
corruption affects our community?
Corruption is out of control with many basic services being compromised. Communities
are concerned about health, sewerage and sanitation, electricity delivery. Corruption
takes away the trust of the community towards the state.
3. What do you think causes corruption?
Greed is the major factor in corrupt relationships. Increased levels of inequality tempt
those in lower socio-economic levels to seek any way to have access to resources.
4. What are the most difficult choices facing us related to corruption in our community?
Why is it difficult for our community to tackle this problem?
Taking action against those we are related to. Many of those involved in corrupt practices
are related to us and “family very seldom turns on family”.
5. What could be done to reduce corruption? Who should be involved? What about this
issue does your community need to discuss now?
Proper monitoring and evaluation systems must be compulsory. Ethics and corruption
discussions must be introduced at school level.
6. What other thoughts about this issue would you like to offer?
Corruption will always exist, it’s the levels of corruption that must be controlled with
proper punitive measures being in place to punish those who are caught.
Please circle all of the responses that apply:
Female
Male
Under 18
18-29
30-49
Occupation: Development Practitioner
50-64
65 and over
Country: South Africa