US, UK beginning to see Zim as more attractive than SA

SOUTH Africa better take note that business people in the United States and the United Kingdom are starting to see Zimbabwe as more attractive for investment than SA, which is getting a more corrupt image, according to forensics specialist Dave Loxton of the legal firm ENSafrica. “Corporate SA must do more about the country’s image of bribery and corruption,” said Loxton at the launch of the ENSafrica 2015 anti-bribery and corruption survey on Tuesday. About 88 organisations in Africa, including Mauritius, were surveyed.

Loxton pointed out that the survey found that about 72 percent of bribes in Africa are in the third party space. “Know who you’re in bed with,” he cautioned.

Steven Powell, co-head of forensics at ENSafrica said there are ten things the US Department of Justice usually expects to see in a company’s anti-bribery and corruption programme.

These are: Commitment to compliance at the highest level, written and widely disseminated compliance policies — also translated into local languages where appropriate, periodic reviews and updates, independence and adequate funding, training and guidance, internal reporting mechanisms, investigations, including adequate resources and effective processes as integrity is very important.

Also included is enforcement of policies and disciplinary measures for non-compliance, paying attention to third party relationships, examining these closely and sensitising third parties to the importance of compliance and showing a willingness to terminate those agents and contractors who fail to comply.

The UK government on one hand looks at procedures, top level commitment; due diligence, communication and training and monitoring and reviewing.

Powell also said the general corruption levels in SA could very well be “almost out of control and almost anything can be acquired at a price”.

He expressed concern about corruption becoming entrenched in municipalities and in the government, adding that only about 10 percent of corporates in South Africa are probably anti-corruption compliant. — News 24