published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leave 277-300)

This thesis analysed and compared the effectiveness of the anti-corruption legislation and anti-corruption agencies in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces. The thesis consists of six chapters. This study is based on the assumption that the struggle against corruption is best approached by developing a system of laws, institutions and supporting practices which promote integrity and make corrupt conduct a high-risk activity. It is imperative that a systemic approach is embarked upon in order to address the manner in which the major institutions and processes of the state are conquered and exploited by corrupt individuals and groups. With the magnitude in which hurdles exist that hamper the effectiveness of the country's anti-corruption legislation and anti-corruption agencies; South Africa is incapable of curbing corruption. With the purpose to determine a desired state of affairs, characteristics of effective anti-corruption agencies and anti-corruption legislation were presented. These served as a yardstick in measuring how effective such agencies and legislation are in South Africa. Reasons for failure of agencies and legislation are discussed. After discussing types of anti-corruption agencies, those that perform better than ix others were identified. Through literature review, the status quo concerning anti-corruption initiatives in South Africa was assessed. It was revealed that the level of the success of South African anti-corruption agencies and legislation has been limited. In the case of anti-corruption agencies, weaknesses such as fragmentation; insufficient coordination; poor delineation of responsibility; and assimilation of corruption work into a broader mandate were identified as major causes. Measures that are needed, such as informed citizens; a need to foster and sustain high levels of professional and ethically imbued civil servants; and legislation that supports the transition towards a corruption-free society that are needed to complement implementation of anti-corruption legislation, were also recognised. Ways of addressing such shortcomings that the writers identified are also presented. The methodology and design followed in the study are described. This is followed by the analysis and interpretation of the survey. The research findings are then presented. Based on the findings a number of recommendations that would assist in improving the effectiveness of anticorruption agencies and anti-corruption legislation are made. Flowing from the discussion of effective anti-corruption models that were identified by literature a model that would be ideal for South Africa is recommended.

The other study distinguishes the effects of political connection and governmental intervention on firm value. The event study of 371 scandals from 1997 to 2004 confirms the hypothesis that governmental intervention is the de facto reason. Scandal firms controlled by the state sustain less negative cumulative abnormal returns than non-state controlled firms, because the market expects that those state controlled scandal firms will surely receive governmental bailout or support while those non-state controlled ones not. For state controlled samples, the degree of political connection does not produce any significant effect on the market reactions. For non-state controlled scandal firms, however, closely politically connected firms have more negative CAR than loosely politically connected ones. This is because the governments get away from the scandal firms in trouble, and those non-state controlled firms that once gained the governmental intervention via political connection suffer more as the support withdraws. The results highlight the effect of governmental intervention on the firm valuation, and address a misconception that political connection is the source of firm value. / The thesis includes two empirical studies concerning corporate scandals in China. One investigates the intra-industry effect of 356 scandals from 1997 to 2004. The empirical results show that contagion effect and competitive effect are conditioned by degree of industry competition and ownership type of scandal firms. Because state controlled firms dominate in most industries and share common characteristics as the legacy of planned economy, their scandals can typically reveal the industry wide information on poor corporate governance problem. In highly competitive industries, the negative information of state controlled scandal firms spills over to state controlled peers, creating net contagion (negative) effect. In low competitive industries, contagion effect is offset by competitive effect that mainly stems from non-state controlled rivals. Comparatively, non-state controlled scandal firms, because of their marginal status in the market, do not produce evident externality in the industry. This study supports the hypothesis of informational contagion effect, and contrasts with the traditional view that scandals are idiosyncratic. The conclusions in previous studies are biased because they fail to consider the role of ownership on intra-industry effects. / Zhang, Peng. / "August 2007." / Adviser: Larry H. P. Lang. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-08, Section: A, page: 3259. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-113). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 330-341).

The use of whistle-blowing as means to curb unethical behaviour of police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay is investigated in this study. In order to investigate this, various instruments were used, these are interviews and questionnaires. However the objectives of the study were: - To examine the implementation of whistle-blowing in the SAPS. - To develop strategies and measures that can be used to encourage whistle-blowing in the SAPS. Broadly speaking, these objectives have been achieved by providing empirical evidence which shows that: - Unethical behaviour by police officers is the most ethical challenge facing police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay Area. This is based on the findings which eminate from the interviews. - Whistle-blowing is used by police officers as an early warning system that alerts the superiors about misconduct before it is too late as it defects and deters wrongdoing. However, the study suggests various strategies and measures to assist the implementation of whistle-blowing. These strategies include: - Development of hotlines. - Assurance of confidentiality and anonymity of disclosures. - Response plan development. - Training development. - Regarding whistle-blowing as an ongoing communication. This study also indicates that misconduct by police officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay area is not high. While whistle-blowing is considered as a key tool in promoting individual responsibility and accountability among police officers. In conclusion, recommendations are provided which could assist the SAPS and individual police officers to improve ethical conduct, and for improved measures and mechanisms to deal with unethical behaviour of police officers and recommendations for improved implementation of whistle-blowing process.

A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, 2019 / This research paper explores corruption within the South African Police Services, with a focus on non-commissioned police officers working at the Honeydew Police Station. Utilising ethnographic research in observing the spaces in which the police officers worked and conducting interviews with various participants, I was guided towards a specific approach to understanding corruption in the police, one which places class and consumption at the centre of my research. This paper therefore delves into whether class and consumption influences the choices of police officers and any involvement in unlawful activities. By adopting a particular ethnological perspective in the study of corruption, this research paper interrogates often-overlooked aspects of police officers daily lives and experiences which I think are vital in being able to understand corruption in the police. / NG (2020)

Many African countries including Africa South have been experiencing many challenges such as corruption, fraud and misaprpriation of fund in this new democratic dispensation. In this regard, the municipalities are viewed as the most affected institutions, with the Eastern Cape Province identified as culprit number one engaging in corrupt activities. There are a number of contributing factors, as attributed in the study, but most prevalent among these are capacity issues in most of these municipalities, with fewer personnel and less capacity. Challenges of corruption in municipalities are perpetrated mainly by municipal officials, councilors and members of the public. This study, identified corruption as one of the challenges facing municipalities in the Eastern Cape. It involves both the achievements and limitations that have been experienced; and indeed, there are still numerous issues to be addressed and accomplished. It discusses some critical issues such as how corruption has been the mother of the day in South Africa and its effect on the public sector in general. Inadditon, misappropriation of public resources and corruption immersed the nation as a whole into a greater challenge rather than focusing on service delivery issues. There are situations, within municipalities, where the majority of senior officials, who may be in possession of valuable information, are always under suspension. The findings of the study also show that all the municipalities operating in this new democaticatic dispensation have not been able to prepare a transparent annual financial year report at the end of the year. In fact, the majority of them always obtain disclaimer or adverse reports from the Office of Auditor-General (AG), despite numerous attempts and interventions by the AG‟s office and the Provincial Treasury to rectify the situation. The challenges of leadership crises in some of these municipalities, both administratively and politically have been critically examined. The findings show that between 2012 and 2015 financial years, some of these municipalities have been without full-time Accounting Officers; people were only seconded or in acting capacity, and some of them were under adminisistration, which is section 139 (c) of the constitution. There were numerous attempts of interventions by the national leadership of the ANC in the ANC regional structures which in many instances were the root cause of the problems or divisions, as well as in municipalities where in Buffalo City Metro and Nelson Mandela Metro respectively there were leadership changes or redeployments. The issue of corruption in the municipalities is compromising and impact negatively in the service delivery. It can be concluded that municipalities are characterized by a number of instances of corruption perpetrated mainly by municipal officials, councilors and members of society. Bribery, fraud, nepotism, and systematic corruption are some of the forms of corruption that take place in municipalities in South Africa. There are systems in place to fight corruption, but the reality is that they are very weak and ineffective. The anti-corruption strategies put in municipalities have general functioned poorly hence the prevailing the situation. There is glaring non-compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), the Treasury Regulations and their own Procurement Procedures and Procurement Policies. It is evident that despite the achievement by an ANC led government for almost over 21 years of democracy, there remain many political and administrative challenges especial in municipalities. The fundamental question need to be posed and address therefore is, how best these challenges can be addressed and turn around service delivery to a tangible outcome. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides for the promotion and maintenance of a high standard of professional ethics in the public service. Public resources are vulnerable to abuse by unscrupulous elements, both inside and outside government and therefore requires careful monitoring and control. The existing legislative framework is solid but fragmented and requires review and consolidation to improve its efficiency. To achieve that government requires an approach that is developmental in nature. Governance should be able to take control of the organization’s systems and at the same time adaptable to the environment in a way strengthens the capacity to achieve goals.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Education Management))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted