Transparency International (TI) has stated that corruption was undermining development in sub-Saharan Africa saying that South Africa remains most corrupt country In Africa.

The TI also listed, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana as witnessing the highest levels of corruption.

It said in a report published in Johannesburg that investigation has revealed that an estimated 75 million people gave bribes last year.

The report said that Word Bank data showed that Sub-Saharan Africa has a total population of 973 million, and more than 22 per cent of Africans who came into contact with public service in the past 12 months paid bribe.

The organization’s chairman, Jose Ugaz, in a statement said that African nations must do a better job of policing themselves.

“Corruption creates and increases poverty and exclusion,” he said.

“While corrupt individuals with political power enjoy a lavish life, millions of Africans are deprived of their basic needs like food, health, education, housing, access to clean water and sanitation,” he said.

Ugaz called on governments and judges to stop corruption and eradicate impunity for the corrupt, adding that people need to be able to stand up against governments’ misconduct without fear of retaliation.

The organization said that police were often paid to “ignore any crime, however horrific and devastating.”

It gave the example of nine-year-old girl in Zimbabwe who was raped, but the rapist who infected her with HIV was released after paying a bribe.

“While some people pay bribes to escape punishment for crimes, others are “forced to pay to get access to the basic services that they desperately need,” he added.

“That was particularly the case in South Africa, where 83 per cent reported an increase in graft,” it said.

leadership.ng/news/479867/south-africa-corrupt-country-africa-transparency-international

GBAM

Bro TI, una do mistake. Na naija de top the table, no do ojoro

That's a big lie! As far as I'm concern, Nigeria is the most corrupt country in Africa..