About 84% of 6000 respondents in a Corruption Watch survey singled out corruption as a big worry in South Africa, with 22% claiming that corruption affected their employment prospects.
“Unemployment is generally perceived to be our most challenging social and economic problem. Our survey reveals that the youth believe that their employment prospects are compromised by corruption,” said Corruption Watch executive director, David Lewis.
“This perception is borne out by the jobs-for-pay scandal in the education system and by the consistent reports of nepotism in appointments that we receive.”
Corruption Watch carried out a survey on social networking app Mxit and online. Youth between the ages of 14-34 across the country were surveyed about their thoughts on corruption.
“Most of the young people were drawn from KwaZulu-Natal (22%), Gauteng (19%) Eastern Cape (14%), and the remaining provinces,” it said.
The organisation is launching a campaign on 16 June aimed at involving young people in the fight against corruption.
According to the organisation, the respondents said that while employment-corruption was a major factor, 24% said service delivery in their areas is negatively impacted by corruption.
“Bribery, nepotism and irregularities in the appointment of candidates for positions are the most common forms of employment-related corruption that the public has reported to the organisation,” it said.
Corruption Watch also conducted an online survey targeting university students and young professionals. It found that the youth perceive the police and the transport licensing department as the most corrupt sectors in South Africa.
“Young people also indicated that public education on corruption; naming and shaming the corrupt and tougher penalties for offenders were the most effective ways to fight corruption.”
Image Source: Corruption Watch
