**4. The state of integrity in the South African public sector**

Integrity in the South African public sector is deteriorating every day as reports on maladministration, corruption, nepotism etc., have become breakfast and dinner in the news channels. This means that employees in the public sector have dishonoured their ethical responsibility by conducting themselves in an unacceptable manner. As a result, the public lost trust and confidence in the public sector.

Oosthuizen [2] identified the following as the imperatives that should be given attention:

*Promoting Ethics in the South African Public Sector: One Block of a Puzzle towards Curbing… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108425*


### **5. Corruption in the South African public sector**

It is not a secret that corruption is endemic in South Africa. Corruption levels during COVID-19 escalated to their highest levels. Areas where South Africa experiences corruption is at procurement division. The article below forms part of many cases relating to COVID-19 corruption in South Africa.

#### **5.1 COVIV-19 and open access to corruption activities in South Africa**

Corruption watch said it had received 4780 reports of graft in 2020 the secondhighest tally since it was founded in 2012. Although the pandemic discouraged people from making in-person reports, an average of 11 cases were received each day online, the Johannesburg-based organisation said. Maladministration, procurement corruption and fraud topped the list, with the 'lucrative' health sector hardest hit. South Africa struggled to find protective gear for its health workers and other essential equipment for fighting Covid – a scarcity that drove up black-market value. Politicians and those close to them exploited 'already weak controls in procurement systems across all three spheres of government', corruption watch said in its report, entitled from crisis to action. "Whilst many were aware of the weakness of both the public and private health facilities, COVID-19 laid bare just how vulnerable the sector truly is". Africa's most industrialised economy was already struggling with a reputation for corruption before the onset of the pandemic, with numerous state officials accused or facing trial for presiding over wanton looting.

Corruption watch director David Lewis noted 'with anger and sadness' that the corrupt exploited the pandemic at the expense of lives and demanded tougher controls.

South Africa is the worst virus-hit country on the continent. (© AFP 25/32021).

#### **6. Promoting ethics in the South African public sector**

Promoting ethics in the South African public sector is 'one block of a puzzle' towards curbing corruption. The author understands that ethics alone cannot end corruption but can assist in curbing it. The following are some of the techniques for promoting ethics as identified by the author.
