Healthcare fraud is a major problem within the healthcare industry. The study examined medical fraud, its laws, and punishments on federal and state levels. It compared medical fraud to non-fraud crimes done in the healthcare industry. This comparison will be done on a state level. The study attempted to analyze the severity of fraud against non-fraud and that doctors would commit fraud offenses more often than non-fraud offenses.

The study focuses on an evaluation of the anti-corruption initiatives in Botswana and their relation to Botswana’s development. An evaluation was needed to find out whether the anti-corruption initiatives were effective and whether there were a correlation between the effectiveness of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crimes (DCEC) and the level of development in Botswana. This study showed that, the DCEC has succeeded to low corruption in Botswana through its most successful public education mandate and debatable good governance. The DCEC has helped to enhance service delivery in the public sector through the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Units (ACUs) within the Ministries aimed at tackling corruption in-house. Consequently, a significant slight improvement was registered in both public health and education sectors. However, that improvement was still minimal to the extent that it has been hampered by the challenging working conditions of the DCEC attributable to the inadequacy of legislation, lack of manpower, shortage of required skills and slow criminal justice system as well as the debatable independence of the DCEC, evidenced by its reporting and appointing lines. This implies that the impact of the DCEC in the development of Botswana has been minimal, as the country is still devastated by socio-economic disparities especially in rural areas. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Construction companies, in particular, abuse the objectives of BEE in order to secure multimillion-rand contracts. Misrepresentations, specifically to the Department of Public Works, are made in various forms and stages during the submission of tender documentation by contractors. The status of BEE company owners is abused in order to secure contracts. Apartheid in South Africa prevented black citizens from entering the corporate world and thereby attaining a quality education. The South African government has, since 1994, adopted the BEE policy in order to redress racial and economic imbalances of the past. Fronting (which is regarded as fraud) is detrimental to the objectives of BEE, which are governed by legislation. Fronting further negatively affects the transformation of the South African economy which could be globally competitive. Fraud detection and its investigation are two concepts which are closely linked to each other and are vitally important to any fraud investi-gator. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Corruption from a criminological perspective forms the basis of this dissertation. The crime component of corruption the 'what', 'why' and 'how' is the dominant theme throughout the study and includes corruption in the South African public sector, highlighting police corruption in the Western Cape. Although this study is exploratory, certain qualitative interviewing techniques, including an interview guide, were used to maximise the information obtained from knowledgeable interviewees. Corruption was further elucidated by the employment of criminological theories to explain pertinent findings in the research, by highlighting risk factors that lead to corruption, by giving examples of corruption and by discussing anti-corruption agencies and the effectiveness of existing legislation. Corruption in the public sector has always been around and will be ad infinitum. The severity of the consequences of this phenomenon can be curtailed by the will of politicians, the involvement of civil society and an operational criminal justice system. / Criminology / MA (Criminology)

In a democracy it is the citizens who choose their leaders. Through elections, the people constitute government to preside over public affairs. However, in several African countries the quality of the elections has been vitiated by fraud, incompetence, unequal playing field and violence. Part of the problem is historical. Within the first decade of attaining independence in the 1950s and 1960s, many African regimes rapidly descended into autocracy and many countries formally recognised one-party regimes. Despite many one-party regimes having been abolished after the democratisation wave of the late 1980s and early 1990s, challenges of holding free and fair elections persist. Several elections held since this democratic wave were generally not considered by independent observers as free and fair. Indeed Africa has become well known for flawed elections, such as was the case in the 2007 elections in Kenya, the 2008 elections in Zimbabwe and the 2010 elections in Ivory Coast. Due to the stifled democratic climate, where even elections had a predetermined outcome, coups became a common and regular method of showing discontent or removing government. While the phenomenon of problematic elections is going on, at the continental level, Africa seems to be making renewed commitment towards democratic governance. With the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU) through the adoption of the Constitutive Act of the African Union in 2000, the AU, inter alia, committed to promoting “democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance” and seems determined to depart from the legacy of poor governance. It is in view of the foregoing background that this research sought to investigate the challenges the judiciary in Africa has faced in adjudicating presidential election disputes. And, in light of the growing trend towards establishing common African democratic standards and seeking collective solutions, the research also sought to explore the viability of establishing a continental supranational mechanism for resolving disputed presidential elections through adjudication. / Public, Constitutional and International Law / LLD

This thesis is composed of three distinct but related essays. The first essay studies the role of the size of the economy in mitigating the impact of public sector corruption on economic development. The analysis is based on a dynamic general equilibrium model in which growth occurs endogenously through the invention and manufacture of new intermediate goods that are used in the production of output. Potential innovators decide to enter the market considering the fraction of future profits that may be lost to corruption. We find that depending on the number of times bribes are demanded, the size of the economy may be an important factor in determining the effects of corruption on innovation and economic growth. The second essay presents an occupational choice model in which a household can choose either formal or informal entrepreneurship or at the subsistence livelihood. Credit market constraints and initial wealth conditions (bequest) determine an agent's occupational choice. Corruption arises when bureaucrats exchange investment permits for bribes. Corruption worsens credit market constraints. Equilibrium with corruption is characterised by an increase (decrease) in informal (formal) entrepreneurship and a decrease in formal entrepreneurship wealth. Since corruption-induced credit constrained households choose informal entrepreneurship as opposed to subsistence livelihood income in the formal sector, the informal economy is shown to mitigate the extent of income inequality. The third essay explains the role of bureaucratic corruption in undermining public service delivery, public finance, and economic development through incentivising tax evasion. The analysis is based on a dynamic general equilibrium model in which a taxable household observes the quality of public services and decides whether or not to fulfil his tax obligation. Bureaucratic corruption compromises the quality of public services such that a taxable household develops incentives to evade tax payment. We show that corruption-induced tax evasion increases the likelihood of a budget deficit, renders tax payable increase counter-productive, and aggravates the negative effect of bureaucratic corruption on economic development.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The central research question of this study concerns how corruption as a political risk factor should be measured in order to provide an accurate assessment of the risk factor within the oil and gas industry. The aim is to answer this question with the aid and support of two sub-questions that have been identified as crucial in pursuing this research. The first sub-question conceptualizes corruption as a political risk factor specifically within the oil and gas industry. The second sub-question addresses the oil and gas industry-specific indicators of corruption as a political risk factor. The research embarks upon seven industry-specific indicators, by isolating the relevant national political structural and institutional framework, which has proved essential in identifying the level of corruption as a risk to the oil and gas investor. The indicators are regarded as the most salient variables that can measure the level of corruption as a political risk in a realistic and practical approach. The indicators are subsequently systemised into a matrix that is constructed with the aim of using it as a general measurement tool for oil and gas investors. The study argues that this measurement tool can be of use to the oil and gas investor as it contributes to businesses recognition and anticipation of corruption. The matrix is furthermore applied to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, in an attempt to test the matrix, and in order to establish how and to what level corruption constitutes as a political risk factor for the oil and gas industry in this country. The result of the indicators demonstrates that the political risk of encountering corruption for the oil and gas investor in Nigeria is of a high level. This study provides a valid basis of constituting how corruption manifests as a risk for the oil and gas investor. Furthermore, the applicability of the matrix provides a practical utility and constructive assessment. This thesis provides a firm foundation for future research in this field. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die sentrale navorsingsvraag van hierdie studie handel oor hoe korrupsie as 'n politieke risiko faktor gemeet moet word om 'n akkurate bepaling van die risiko faktor binne die oilie- en gas industrie te maak. Die doel is om hierdie vraag te beantwoord met die hulp van twee sub-navorsingsvrae wat geïdentifiseer is essensieël on hierdie navorsing te voltooi. Die eerste sub-navorsingvraag konseptualiseer korrupsie as 'n politieke risiko faktor, spesifiek binne die olie en gas industrie. Die tweede sub-navorsingsvraag handel oor die industrie-spesifieke indikatore van korrupsie as 'n politieke risiko faktor. Die navorsing is gevestig op sewe industrie-spesifieke indikatore, wat geïsoleer word vanaf relevante nasionale politieke strukture en institusionele raamwerke, wat essensieël is in die identifikasie van die vlak van korrupsie as 'n risiko vir die olie en gas belegger. Die indikatore word beskou as die mees prominente veranderlikes wat die vlak van korrupsie as n politieke risiko kan meet, as 'n realistiese en praktiese benadering. Die indikatore word gevolglik geplaas binne 'n raamwerk wat gebou is met die doel om dit te bebruik as 'n algemene maatstaf vir die belegger in die olie-en gas industrie. Hierdie studie argumenteer dat die maatstaf gebruik kan word in die olie-en gas industrie, siende dat dit bydrae tot besighede se erkenning en antisipasie van korrupsie. Die maatstaf word verder toegepas op die geval van die olie-en gas industrie in Nigerië, met die doel om dit te toets en ook om vas te stel tot watter vlak korrupsie as 'n politieke risiko faktor vir die olie-en gas industrie teenwoordig is in hierdie land. Die resultaat van die indikatore dui daarop dat daar 'n hoë vlak van politieke risiko vir die olie-en gas industrie in Nigerië bestaan. Die studie verskaf 'n geldige basis om vas te stel hoe korrupsie in die olie-en gas industrie manifesteer. Verder, die toepaslikheid van die maatstaf verskaf praktiese bruikbaarheid en konstruktiewe meeting. Die tesis verskaf 'n stewige basis vir toekomstige navrsing in die veld.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Corruption affects the lives of everyone in South Africa and can thus be characterised as a common enemy. Fraud and corruption especially in the procurement systems is one of the major contributors of annual losses the Western Cape Provincial Government incurs. Since the introduction of computerised procurement systems, also known as e-procurement, the occurrence of fraud and corruption has substantially increased as soon as individuals familiarize themselves with the system. The Western Cape Provincial Government will save a huge amount of money if fraud and corruption could be prevented and limited. These funds could be put to better use and result to better service delivery. The Government has therefore developed many policies and strategies to try to combat and prevent corruption in procurement both in the public and private sector. This study examines the perceptions of key stakeholders on the appropriateness of the strategies in place to prevent fraud and corruption in the provincial procurement system by particularly looking at the achievements and limitations that have been experienced. The focal point is the Western Cape Provincial Treasury since they are currently the owners of the computerised procurement system. The study also includes an assessment of the role of the Western Cape Provincial Treasury in general in fighting fraud and corruption in public procurement. The research methods utilised include a comprehensive review of documentation published by the provincial government with regard to fraud and corruption as well as perceptions of key stakeholders on the appropriateness of anti-corruption policies and strategies in the Western Cape Provincial Government. Government has, in its commitment to fight corruption, established various anti-corruption agencies, developed a number of programmes and introduced numerous legislative frameworks. The Western Cape Government in particular has developed a transversal Anti-corruption Strategy to provide a framework within which to combat fraud, corruption and theft in the province. All provincial departments are encouraged to maintain a zerotolerance against corruption by developing and implementing a Fraud and Corruption policy within their various departments. The proper implementation of the anti-corruption policy is imperative for the prevention of fraud and corruption. Western Cape Provincial Treasury, as the custodian of the LOGIS procurement system in the Western Cape, plays a vital role in promoting compliance to relevant legislation by implementing anti-corruption strategies. It is apparent that different anti-corruption strategies to control and manage fraud and corruption in procurement do exist, but its appropriateness differs from department to department. Anti-corruption strategies will only be successful when it eliminates the occurrence of fraud and when perpetrators are caught and executed. Management should play a vital role in identifying and combating corruption in departments. Employees should be made aware of the consequences if they should commit any fraudulent acts. Furthermore, all officials should be encouraged to report any fraudulent incidents. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Korrupsie beïnvloed die lewens van almal in Suid-Afrika en kan dus gedefinieer word as 'n gemeenskaplike vyand. Bedrog en korrupsie, veral in die verkryging stelsels is een van die grootste bydraers van die jaarlikse verliese die wat die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Regering aangaan. Sedert die bekendstelling van die gerekenariseerde verkryging stelsels, ook bekend as e-verkryging, het die voorkoms van bedrog en korrupsie aansienlik verhoog sodra individue hulself vertroud maak met die stelsel. Die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Regering sal 'n groot bedrae geld bespaar as bedrog en korrupsie voorkom en beperk kan word. Hierdie fondse kan op op sy beurt beter aangewend word en kan tot beter dienslewering lei. Die Regering het baie beleide en strategieë ontwikkel om korrupsie te probeer verhoed en te bestry - beide in die openbare en private sektor. Hierdie studie ondersoek die persepsies van belanghebbendes oor die toepaslikheid van die strategieë om bedrog en korrupsie in die provinsiale verkryging stelsel te voorkom deur veral te kyk na die prestasies en beperkings wat ondervind is. Die fokuspunt is die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Tesourie, aangesien hulle tans die eienaars van die gerekenariseerde verkryging stelsel is. Die studie sluit ook 'n evaluering van die rol wat die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Tesourie speel om bedrog en korrupsie in die openbare verkryging stelsel te voorkom. Die navorsingsmetodes wat gebruik is sluit in ‘n omvattende opname van die dokumentasie wat deur die provinsiale regering gepubliseer is met betrekking tot bedrog en korrupsie asook persepsies van belanghebbendes oor die toepaslikheid van anti-korrupsie beleide en strategieë in die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Regering. In sy verbintenis om korrupsie te beveg, het die regering verskeie anti-korrupsie agentskappe ingestel, 'n aantal programme ontwikkel en talle wetgewende raamwerke bekend gestel. Die Wes-Kaapse regering het in die besonder 'n dwarsleggende Anti-korrupsie strategie ontwikkel om 'n raamwerk te voorsien waarbinne bedrog, korrupsie en diefstal in die provinsie bekamp kan word. Alle provinsiale departemente word aangemoedig om 'n “zero tolerance” teen korrupsie te handhaaf deur die ontwikkeling en implementering van 'n bedrog en korrupsie beleid binne hul onderskeie departemente. Die behoorlike implementering van die anti-korrupsie beleid is noodsaaklik vir die voorkoming van bedrog en korrupsie. Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Tesourie, as die bewaarder van die LOGIS verkryging stelsel in die Wes-Kaap, speel 'n belangrike rol in die voldoening aan toepaslike wetgewing deur die implementering van anti-korrupsie strategieë. Dit is duidelik dat verskillende anti-korrupsie strategieë om bedrog en korrupsie te beheer en te voorkom wel bestaan, maar die toepaslikheid verskil van departement tot departement. Anti-korrupsie strategieë sal slegs suksesvol wees wanneer dit die voorkoms van bedrog elimineer en wanneer oortreders gevang en tereggestel word. Bestuur moet 'n belangrike rol speel in die identifisering en die bekamping van korrupsie in departemente. Werknemers moet bewus gemaak word van die gevolge indien hulle enige bedrieglike dade pleeg. Verder moet alle amptenare aangemoedig word om enige bedrieglike voorvalle aan te meld.

Export-oriented illegal logging has been recognized as a major global problem in environmental, social, and economic terms. It has been argued that export-oriented illegal logging does not benefit the community or government that should be benefited by its own natural resources. The emergence of policy initiatives targeting illegal logging could have the potential to increase the competitiveness of legally sourced timber products by removing illegal products from the market of the consuming country. The US Lacey Act amendments of 2008 set a precedent for the global trade in plants and plant products by putting in place incentives for US wood products importing companies to demand legally sourced and traded wood. This research addresses how the 2008 Lacey Act amendments have impacted the US wood industry, and how those affected by the amendments view the future of environmental policy and global illegal logging as impacted by the amendments. The majority of respondents in this study agree that steps should be taken to decrease global illegal logging, but some aren't convinced that the Lacey Act amendments will ultimately have the desired effect. According to this research, most US wood importers have made small changes to their operational practices. This study indicates the possibility that though US wood importers feel the responsibility to ensure their companies are compliant with legislation, they are not sure the 2008 Lacey Act amendments will ultimately hinder global illegal logging. Included in this study are also suggestions from US wood importers regarding policy implementation. These suggestions include an increase in communication between the US government and US wood products companies, an increase in future research, and the possibility of focusing the Lacey Act on certain high-risk regions. / Graduation date: 2012

Les États ont depuis de nombreuses années incriminé la corruption des agents publics nationaux. La crise de l'énergie de 1973 et la fin de la guerre froide de 1989 ont néanmoins stimulé l'apparition d’une forme spécifique de corruption jusqu’alors passé sous silence par les textes juridiques : la corruption d’un agent public étranger. La lutte contre la corruption des agents publics étrangers a récemment connu un essor international normatif considérable notamment avec l’entrée en vigueur de plusieurs conventions internationales à visée régionale et universelle. La genèse de cette réaction internationale est avant tout d’inspiration étatsunienne. Promulgué aux États-Unis en 1977 dans le sillage de l’affaire du Watergate, le Foreign Corrupt Practices Act fut la première loi nationale incriminant la corruption d’un agent public étranger. Cette loi est progressivement devenue la matrice des textes internationaux ultérieurs. La lutte contre la corruption internationale doit faire face aux difficultés de mise en œuvre qui sont inhérentes à l’application des conventions internationales. Il est parfois estimé que ce dispositif juridique international n’est pas toujours d’une efficacité parfaite. Un premier niveau de recherche qui consiste à opérer une analyse des textes juridiques, conduira à étudier la dimension opératoire des dispositifs en vigueur. A la lumière des avis des praticiens contemporains de lutte contre la corruption, un second niveau d’analyse complétant le premier aura pour objectif final de formuler des propositions d’amélioration des mécanismes juridiques existants en droit international positif. / States have criminalised the corruption of their national public officials for many years. The 1973 energy crisis and the end of the Cold War catalyzed however the increase of a specific form of corruption which had been until that point largely ignored by the legislators: the corruption of a foreign public official. The combat against the corruption of foreign public officials has recently witnessed major international normative developments notably with the entry into force of several international conventions at regional and global levels. The genesis of this international reaction can largely be attributed to the United States. In the wake of the Watergate scandal, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act was signed into law by President Carter in 1977 becoming the first national legislation criminalising the corruption of foreign public officials. This law progressively became the template of the future international texts. The fight against this form of corruption faces many of the enforcement difficulties which are inherent to the application of international conventions. The efficacy of the international legal framework can logically be questioned. A primary analysis of the pertinent legal instruments will therefore attempt to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of this framework. In the light of the opinion of various experts in the combat against corruption, a second level of analysis which completes the first shall formulate proposals to improve the existing legal mechanisms in current international law.