-
As the above indicates, defining corruption is problematic and disputed.
One of the most common definitions of corruption is: "The use of public
office for private gain." This definition needs to be broadened to include
the following features:
|
- The
abuse of power and breach of trust;
- The
fact that corruption occurs in the public, private and non-governmental
sectors; and
- The
fact that private gain is not the only motive for corrupt activity.
|
-
Therefore, for the purpose of this document, corruption can be described
as "any conduct or
behaviour in relation to persons entrusted with responsibilities in
public office which violates their duties as public officials and which
is aimed at obtaining undue gratification of any kind for themselves
or for others". This
should not be viewed as a legal definition, but rather as a working
definition for the purposes of operationalising this strategy[5]
.
|
| [5]
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development is currently developing
the Prevention of Corruption Bill, with a revised legal definition of corruption. |
