The fight against corruption must be the duty of every individual and every grouping in society. In fulfilling its role within the partnership, Government has an obligation to set standards of behaviour for the Executive, for its elected representatives and its officials. The lure of the lap of luxury at state expense must be perennially interrogated through codes of ethics. While these codes may concentrate on financial disclosure, conflict of interest, or aspects of impropriety, they should be thoroughly informed by a set of implicit values and an ethical culture. This implies that a disciplinary approach to regulating the behaviour of public officials must be mediated by an overarching aspirational framework.
Corruption is a pernicious and pervasive social evil.
It undermines our ability to attract investment, to create an economic environment that enables growth, employment opportunities and redress for the poor. But it also undermines government itself, in the eyes of the people. Government is committing to putting into place all the necessary controls and systems in place that will detect corrupt practices speedily and effectively, especially with regard to state finances and assets. This Draft Code of Ethics applies to Cabinet Members, Deputy Ministers and members of Executive Councils. The Code also introduces provisions for a register of financial interests of the Executive members, to be kept by the Secretary of Cabinet or, in the case of provinces, the Secretary of the Executive Council.