South Africa: Bishop calls for end to 'pandemic of corruption'

Bishop Sithembele Sipuka

Source: Fides/SACBC

The head of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference has called for South Africa to take charge of the "pandemic" of corruption that is devouring devouring the funds allocated to assist Covid-19 patients and fight the pandemic. Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, Bishop of Mthatha and president of the SACBC, said there is a feeling that South Africa is going towards the direction of being known as a corrupt country.

The month of August saw growing anger among South African citizens as the press and social media exposed massive corruption.

"South Africa is fast becoming known as a country where corruption is a way of life, much similar to what Kenya was once known for. There is a growing worry that corruption is beginning to shape the soul of our nation to the point where corruption is becoming synonymous with South Africa," Bishop Sipuka said in the statement.

Recently serious embezzlement of funds to fight the pandemic was also reported in Kenya. On 13 August, writing on behalf of the SACBC Bishop Sipuka asked President Cyril Ramaphos to "put an end to corruption and restore the trust of the population in such a dramatic moment."

In his 28 August statement, Bishop Sipuka invites South Africans to "refuse that South Africa is defined as a country of corruption, as well as of sexual abuse and violence against women."

"We must act against corruption because corruption is contrary to the values we represent as Africans, Christians and as citizens of a democratic country," he said. "As Africans we cherish the value of Ubuntu (which emphasizes loyalty and mutual relationships of people) and care and corruption is an insult to these values, as Christians we believe in serving rather than being served, and corrupt leaders practice the exact opposite of this value and as democrats, we hold the civil servants we elect accountable to us but the corrupt leaders see themselves as accountable to no one."

Mgr. Sipuka then launched an appeal: "Time for complaining about corruption has come to an end; something must be done even during this time of Covid-19, which places limitations of movement and activity. Without propagating for the transgression of Covid-19 safety measures let us begin to think creatively about actions that can be taken, for we cannot wait until the Covid-19 pandemic is over to act. The time is now." The Bishop concluded: "the call against corruption starts with us. Let us pray to be relieved of corruption and this will enable us to speak and act against corruption with integrity."