Southerners believe corruption worsening

From Gurtong 

JUBA, Jan 22 (Gurtong) – South Sudanese believe that corruption in the semi-autonomous government is worsening, and 67 percent think that government malpractice has worsened since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Just under 90 percent think corruption is a major problem in South Sudan.

A survey of southerners’ opinions by a team contracted by the Southern Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission (SSAC) also found that 54 percent of people have encountered one form of corruption or another in their lives.

But only a quarter have reported it, and some 40 percent who did not, said they did not know where they should go with their information.  

The report, launched Monday afternoon, also shows a growing discontent in southerners linked to corruption and the failure of government institutions to connect with the people. “There is a growing disparity between rich and poor; people said “why was the war so important if it still resulted in inequality?”’ explained the head of the survey team.

Head of the SSAC Pauline Riak said that poor government systems and little understanding of what structures are in place, and officials who are unable to say no to the demands of large families of dependents are partly to blame for the problem.

“There’s no smoke without a fire,” said Riak when asked to what extent the report’s findings reflect the reality of corruption in the South.

Some lines are still unclear. Riak said that $5.5 million was spent on housing government officials in expensive hotels during the last half of 2005 and in 2006; including her own accommodation. “We are supposed to be given accommodation, (but) this is part of institutional corruption,” she said.

But even in cases where corrupt practices are clear-cut, the SSAC’s hands are still tied. For all the ‘zero-tolerance’ of corruption – a position spear-headed by the South’s President Salva Kiir – the SSAC can still not investigate alleged corruption until its enabling law has been passed.

“Until the bill is passed we can do nothing, (in fact) we could be taken to court for investigating,” said Philip Thon, the Deputy Chair of the body.