Corruption entrenches poverty and robs communities of the right to essential commodities and facilities.

Corruption entrenches poverty and robs communities of the right to essential commodities and facilities.

Some people in positions of power and trust have always thrived on stealing from government proceeds meant for the eradication of poverty throughout the world. This much has been particularly evident in the many criminal cases brought against civil servants in the past 11 years.

Speaking at the Global Forum on Fighting Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in Sandton, this week, President Thabo Mbeki highlighted the misery caused by corruption.

The scourge is obstructing many efforts to rid communities of poverty and set them on the path to development.

While efforts are being made to fight white-collar crime, it is disturbing that most culprits tend to be government officials in cahoots with business syndicates.

In South Africa reports abound daily about corruption in government departments, especially in the allocation of tenders, the issuing of driver's licences, the quashing of police dockets and the allocation of RDP houses, to mention but a few examples.

Invariably such shenanigans tend to alienate the government from the people who, in turn, lose confidence in its ability to deliver on its promises.