Question NW2270 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
17 July 2023 - NW2270
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Given that his department heavily invests in international conferences such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum, and noting that many persons do not trust that the specified forum has been fruitful for the average citizen on the ground, what total number of (a) conferences of this nature has the management of his department attended since 30 May 2019 and (b) implemented policies have come out of such conferences?
Reply:
1. The Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Anti - Corruption and Integrity Forum (the Forum)has been a driving force in the global anti-corruption movement for more than four decades. Established in 2013, the Forum is the OECD’s premier public multi-stakeholder platform shaping the anti-corruption and integrity dialogue between government, business and civil society.The Forum therefore focuses on policy solutions and business innovations that strengthen integrity and fight corruption.
(a) The Forum hosted its meetings virtually between 2019 and 2022, due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. The year 2023 was the first time the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services was invited to participate in the Forum sessions which took place on 24 – 26 May 2023.
2. Since the OECD’s establishment in 1961, the OECD has, through its various Forums and working groups, developed close to 300 legal instruments, many of which have become international standards promoting integrity.
(a) The Forum has produced various guidelines and policy documents to guide countries in their own domestic policy and law making initiatives. South Africa has utilized the OECD Anti Bribery Convention to draft its Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act , 2004. In addition, the OECD Recommendations on Improving Ethical Conduct in the Public Service were instrumental in strengthening South Africa’s Protected Disclosure Act as amended in 2017.